California Courts Won't Block Gay Marriages

Last bid by social conservatives in that state

The California Supreme Court refused Monday to halt same-sex marriages while considering a legal bid to revive Proposition 8.

In a brief order, the state high court rejected a request by ProtectMarriage, the sponsors of the 2008 ballot measure, to stop the marriages now while the group's challenge is pending.

ProtectMarriage argued in a petition filed Friday that a federal judge's 2010 injunction against Proposition 8 did not apply statewide and that Gov. Jerry Brown erred when he ordered all counties to obey it.

The court has asked for written arguments on ProtectMarriage's challenge but is not expected to rule until August, at the earliest. A court spokesman said the decision to deny a "stay," or hold, on the marriages was unanimous.