8th Circuit halts same-sex marriage in Nebraska

The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has put a stop to same-sex marriage in Nebraska, at least for now.

The federal appeals court halted a lower court’s ruling that overturned the state’s voter-approved marriage laws earlier this week. That decision would have forced the state to issue same-sex marriage licenses beginning Monday.

“We are glad the court has granted the stay because it provides current stability in Nebraska’s marriage licensing process,” said Attorney General Doug Peterson, who appealed the lower court decision.

The 8th Circuit will combine the Nebraska case with three others from South Dakota, Arkansas, and Missouri. Arguments are scheduled for May 11. But the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in several marriage cases from the 6th Circuit on April 28. It is expected to issue its ruling at the end of June, deciding the constitutionality of same-sex marriage once and for all.