Calif. Gay Marriages on Hold as Opponents Appeal

Legal wrangling has once again put gay marriage on hold in California. A federal appeals court panel's 2-1 decision to overturn the state's ban on same-sex marriage would have allowed gay marriages to resume as soon as next month, but the sponsors of Proposition 8 have asked the full appeals court to reconsider the ruling, reports the Christian Science Monitor. Same-sex marriages will now be on hold at least until the court decides whether to accept or reject the request for review.

Legal experts say Proposition 8's backers have little chance of overturning the earlier decision. The case is expected to eventually end up in front of the US Supreme Court, and the delay caused by a review now could work against supporters of the gay marriage ban. "The more you have states moving toward marriage for same-sex couples, the less likely the Supreme Court is going to reverse the 9th Circuit," a law professor tells the Los Angeles Times. (More same-sex marriage stories.)