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US Supreme Court Halts Gay Marriage Ruling In Virginia

Mitch de Leon   |

Aug 21, 2014 02:36 AM EDT

Same-sex couples planning to get hitched in Virginia will have to hurdle another setback in their battle for equality. In a decision on Wednesday, the United States Supreme Court issued an order blocking a ruling from an appeals court that struck down the state's ban against same-sex marriage. The pronouncement came after the court approved a stay application, which was filed by opponents of gay and lesbian marriage. The opposition was declared to specifically object the July 28 ruling by the Richmond, Virginia-based 4th US Circuit Court of Appeals. This brief order from the high court was issued less than 24 hours before same-sex couples in Virginia could have started applying to be married.