More U.S. States Push for Gay Unions in Wake of High Court Decision

Six more states could soon join them under regional federal appeals court rulings that had struck down other bans.

Legal pressure mounted across the United States on Tuesday for further expansion of marriage rights after the Supreme Court declined to uphold bans in five states, but left intact 20 others.

The 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago issued orders on Tuesday that mean earlier rulings striking down bans in Wisconsin and Indiana can now go into effect.

Marriage equality advocates in Florida also planned to ask a federal judge on Tuesday to lift a stay and allow same-sex unions to go ahead in Florida. Legal challenges were also being planned in North and South Carolina and West Virginia.