US: Supreme Court rejects Louisiana same-sex marriage case
The US Supreme Court has rejected an appeal against a same-sex marriage ruling in Louisiana.
In an unusual move, the US state of Louisiana last month asked the Supreme Court to hear arguments around a same-sex marriage lawsuit before an appeals court had even ruled.
However, the tactic was rejected today by the Supreme Court – who are currently considering the possibility of taking up a same-sex marriage case.
The decision does not immediately allow couples to marry in the state – as the case is still being heard before the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Appeals from Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and Tennessee are also pending Supreme Court review – but justices have discretion as to whether they want to take a case.
The Supreme Court has declined to intervene in the issue in the past when initial rulings were in favour, but the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against same-sex marriage found against equality in the four states.
The rulings against equality also create an effective discrepancy in US law – and resolving splits is one of the most important factors for the Justices to consider when reviewing cases.
The court took no action today on the Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and Tennessee cases – and is meeting again on Friday.
