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12/22/2024 07:27:46 am

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U.S. Justice Temporarily Blocks Gay Marriages in Idaho

Same-sex couples rallying for equal rights to marry.

(Photo : Reuters) A same-sex marriage supporter at a rally for gay marriage at the Ada County Court House in Boise, Idaho May 16, 2014.

Supreme Court Justice Anthony M. Kennedy has temporarily blocked gay marriages in Idaho on Wednesday, a day after the federal appeals court has revoked the gay marriage ban in the state.

On Tuesday, the federal court of appeals have struck down the 9th circuit ban on same-sex marriages Idaho and Nevada.

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However, Idaho Governor C.L. Otter on Wednesday filed an emergency request to allow the ban to stay in Idaho.

Kennedy will handle Otter's request because he was the appointed justice in charge of handling emergency requests in the 9th Circuit.

With only an hour to go before the state started issuing marriage licences, Kennedy announced his decision to temporarily stop the state from allowing gay marriages.

According to the supreme court justice, proponents of the gay marriages must file a response to his decision by Thursday afternoon--only then will the court decide if it will issue a permanent ban against such unions.

Following Kennedy's announcement, Otter expressed his joy that the justice approved his request, saying that it will "help the state avoid confusion that other states have faced."

In Utah, for example, gay marriages began after the ban was removed. However, it was later suspended due to a pending appeal submitted to the Supreme Court.

According to Idaho pastor Renee McCall, who is a proponent of the same-sex marriages, the LGBT community's happiness was turned to sadness because of Kennedy's announcement.

McCall shared that many "broke down in tears" after the decision was handed.

Meanwhile, same-sex marriages in the states of Utah, Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Virginia, and Indiana were allowed to stand and will start immediately.

Judge Stephen Reindhardt, one of the three judges who ruled to strike down the gay-marriages ban, said history of constitution has made it clear that "inclusion" can strengthen the "most important institutions."

Stephen added that allowing same-sex couples to wed is an example of a "loving commitment to all."

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