Supreme Court's Denial Ends Gay Marriage Delays

The U.S. Supreme Court has decided not to hear appeals from five states wanting to ban same-sex marriage.

The unexpected decision Monday leaves lower court rulings in place, which effectively makes gay marriage legal in 30 states. It's also legal in the District of Columbia.

The justices did not comment. Their silence brings to an end delays in same-sex marriages in five states: Indiana, Oklahoma, Utah, Virginia, and Wisconsin.

How does this decision affect other similar cases? Brad Jacob, associate professor at Regent University School of Law, explains this and how it effectively legalizes gay marriage in 30 states.

Homosexual marriage should be implemented in six other states soon -- Colorado, Kansas, North Carolina, South Carolina, West Virginia, and Wyoming. Those states are also tied to appellate rulings in favor of same-sex marriage that have been put on hold.

For now, the high court stopped short of resolving the issue nationwide. Challenges are pending in every state.

Evan Wolfson, president of Freedom to Marry, said his organization, which supports homosexual marriage, is not backing down.

"As waves of freedom to marry litigation continue to surge, we will continue to press the urgency and make the case that America -- all of America -- is ready for the freedom to marry, and the Supreme Court should finish the job," Wolfson said.

Ed Whelan, with the Ethics and Public Policy Center, an opponent of same-sex marriage, also expressed frustration with the court for its "irresponsible denial of review in the cases."

Alliance Defending Freedom attorneys filed petitions in defense of Oklahoma's and Virginia's laws upholding marriage as a union between one man and one woman.

"The court's decision not to take up this issue now means that the marriage battle will continue. Several federal courts -- including those in the 5th, 6th, 8th, and 11th circuits -- still have cases working their way to the Supreme Court," ADF Senior Counsel Byron Babione said. "ADF will continue to remain a leader in the critical effort for the freedom of the people. The people should decide this issue, not the courts."

Appeals courts in Cincinnati and San Francisco could issue rulings any time in same-sex marriage cases.

Judges in the 6th Circuit, based in Cincinnati, appeared more likely to rule in favor of state bans on gay marriage in Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and Tennessee.

The 9th Circuit judges in San Francisco are considering same-sex marriage bans in Idaho and Nevada.