Estimated read time: Less than a minute
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Utah officials are prepared to ask the U.S. Supreme Court to intervene in a lawsuit filed by same-sex couples demanding to have their marriages recognized.
Attorneys for Utah say in court filings Monday that they'll appeal to the high court if a federal appeals court lifts the hold on a requirement to move forward with benefits for about 1,000 gay marriages in the state.
U.S. District Judge Dale Kimball in Utah ruled in favor of gay and lesbian couples last month, setting implementation of his order for Monday.
But last week, a Denver-based appeals court granted Utah's request to temporarily delay that ruling.
Utah officials argue that if the marriages are recognized now, it will jeopardize their legal appeal of Kimball's ruling.
The gay couples suing the state have asked court to reverse its decision.
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
