About 1,500 people gather to celebrate marriage equality after a federal judge declined to stay his ruling that legalized same-sex marriage in Utah, at Washington Square just outside of the Salt Lake City and County Building Monday, Dec. 23, 2013, in Salt Lake City. AP
SALT LAKE CITY – A federal appeals court has rejected the Utah state government’s request to stop gay marriages in the Mormon-dominated state.
Utah had wanted a hold on same-sex marriages while it appeals a judge’s ruling overturning the state’s ban on gay weddings.
The 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling late Tuesday means county clerks can continue to issue marriage licenses to gays and lesbians. Nearly 700 gay couples have obtained marriage licenses since Friday.
The judge’s decision to strike down a law passed by voters in 2004 drew attention given Utah’s long-standing opposition to gay marriage and its position as headquarters for the Mormon church.