Appeals Court extends stay in gay marriage case until arguments heard

By: American Decency Staff

A three-judge panel of the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals issued a stay Tuesday that continues Michigan’s prohibition on same-sex marriages until formal arguments on the case are heard by the court.

When those arguments will be heard is uncertain.

Chief Judge Karen Caldwell and Judge John Rogers granted the stay with Judge Helene White, a former Michigan judge, dissenting.

In granting the stay, Caldwell and Rogers said among the factors they considered was whether the case had a chance of success on its merits; whether the state would suffer irreparable harm without it; where the public interest lies; and whether staying the decision would substantially injure other interested parties.

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