US
court puts debate on same-sex marriage on hold again
Washington, Aug 17: 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.