A federal appeals court that struck down Virginia's ban on marriag equality has refused to issue a stay on that ruling. This means that unless the US Supreme Court issues a stay, same-sex couples could start marrying as early as next week.
Although Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring has fought the ban, his office supported the request of a county clerk who is defending the ban that the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals stay its ruling pending Supreme Court review.
Any party could now seek a stay from the Supreme Court itself, an application that would be made first to Chief Justice John Roberts, who considers such applications from within the 4th Circuit. Roberts could decide the matter himself or refer it to the whole court.
4th Circuit denies a request to delay implementation of marriage ruling in VA. Couples may begin marrying on 8/18 http://t.co/zxlK5zgWRS
— GLAAD (@glaad) August 13, 2014
We'll have more as this story develops.