Utah Same-Sex Marriage Ban Back In Court

03:47

December 23, 2013

The Associated Press

Chris Serrano, left, and Clifton Webb embrace after being married, as people wait in line to get licenses outside of the marriage division of the Salt Lake County Clerk's Office in Salt Lake City, Friday, Dec. 20, 2013. (Kim Raff/AP) — Chris Serrano, left, and Clifton Webb embrace after being married, as people wait in line to get licenses outside of the marriage division of the Salt Lake County Clerk's Office in Salt Lake City, Friday, Dec. 20, 2013. The state has requested that the court put same-sex weddings on hold while it appeals the decision.(Kim Raff/AP)

Judge Richard Shelby today denied a request by the state of Utah that sought to halt same-sex marriage until the appeals process plays out.

The same judge overturned Utah's ban on same-sex marriage Friday, ruling it is unconstitutional.

Utah lawyers are expected to ask a higher court to put the process on hold.

The county clerk in Salt Lake City immediately began issuing licenses Friday, and hundreds more gay couples were lined up Monday to get married.

The ruling drew attention given Utah's long-standing opposition to gay marriage and its position as headquarters for the Mormon church.

Howard Berkes, an NPR investigations correspondent, joins Here & Now’s Meghna Chakrabarti to discuss what to expect as the legal battle continues.

Guest

Howard Berkes, NPR investigations correspondent. He tweets @hberkes.

This segment aired on December 23, 2013.