The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday blocked a court order that would have allowed gay marriages in Virginia to begin Thursday, adding to the likelihood the justices will decide the issue themselves in the coming term.
The brief order by the court contained no explanation for its rationale, but it was not a surprise because the court had previously blocked a similar ruling that would have allowed gay marriages in Utah.
Supporters of gay marriage said Wednesday’s stay underscored the need for the high court to make a definitive ruling on the issue by next year.
“It is time for the Supreme Court to affirm what more than 30 courts have held in the past year: marriage discrimination violates the Constitution, harms families, and is unworthy of America,” said Evan Wolfson, president of Freedom to Marry, which advocates for same-sex marriage.
Plaintiffs in the case, Tim Bostic and Tony London of Norfolk, Va., issued a statement saying they were disappointed, but not surprised.
“Tony and I look forward to the day that we can finally be married in our home state,” Bostic said. “We feel that this case deserves to be heard by the Supreme Court and be finally decided for all Americans.”