Sotomayor delays gay marriage in Kansas, as litigation continues

In a somewhat surprising development, one of the more liberal members of the Supreme Court has now put same-sex marriage litigation in a state on hold — at least for now, as the appeals process moves along.

Justice Sonia Sotomayor on Monday granted a stay in Kansas, The Topeka Capital-Journal reports, after state Attorney General Derek Schmidt (R) filed an emergency request to block a district judge's ruling that same-sex marriages would be set to go forward on Tuesday.

Sotomayor also ordered the American Civil Liberties Union, which is litigating for gay marriage rights, to file a response for review. "Sotomayor’s stay will delay same-sex marriages in Kansas only if it still remains in effect at 5 p.m. Tuesday," the Capital-Journal also points out.

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