US court puts debate on same-sex marriage on hold again

Washington, Aug 17 (ANI): The Ninth US Circuit Court of Appeals has added another twist in the saga of gay marriages, on Monday by granting a stay order in the Proposition 8 case, prohibiting same-sex wedding from taking place in California at least until December, overruling last Thursday's ruling by a federal judge, which said that it would be allowed to resume by August 18, this year.

Earlier this month, U.S. District Judge Vaughn R. Walker invalidated Proposition 8, the state's voter-approved ban on such unions, finding that the measure was discriminatory and violated the Constitution.

According to the Washington Post, supporters of the law appealed Walker's finding to the 9th Circuit, and the appeals court ruled Monday that Proposition 8 could remain in effect while it considers the case.

It further indicated that it would act relatively swiftly on the appeal, setting a hearing for early December.

Groups that opposed Proposition 8 in court criticised Monday's order.

"Oh, my goodness, this movement is like a labyrinth. Just when you think you've reached the center, the design just shoots you out to another path," a spokeswoman of Marriage Equality USA, a pro-gay-marriage group, said.

In its one-page ruling on Monday, the appeals court suggested that it, has asked the anti-gay-marriage groups for evidence that they have a right to appeal the decision.

Groups on both sides of the issue called Walker's ruling on the constitutionality of Proposition 8 one of the most significant rulings in the battle over same-sex unions.

The case is widely expected to end up before the U.S. Supreme Court. (ANI)