Utah Orders the Suspension of Same-Sex Marriages and Voids Previous Marriages

The law that allowed same-sex couples to get married legally has been temporarily suspended in Utah, voiding previous marriages as well.

The Supreme Court ordered the suspension of marriages due to an appeal presented by Utah state authorities that opposed the verdict of Judge Robert Shelby who declared the prohibition of same-sex marriages to be illegal, according to EFE.

There are many religious groups that don't tolerate same-sex marriages in the state. Last Dec. 20, believes of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints openly revealed their rejection to the law.

Sean Reyes, the Attorney General for the state of Utah said that the weddings carried out since last December have been legally suspended and couples wanting to get married will have to wait until a verdict on the case.

James E. Magleby, lawyer for plaintiffs seeking to keep the law in effect, said that the Supreme Court's decision is disappointing.

"This provisional suspension of the ruling is obviously disappointing for Utah families who need the protection of marriage and now they must wait until the appeal is over to get married."

Governor Gary Herbert supported the temporary suspension of same-sex marriages and said that he hopes the case is decided by a fair process in the Denver Appeal Court in late January.

Last November 2013, Illinois joined the states that allow same-sex marriages thanks to the SB10 initiative that will legally acknowledge these marriages starting in June 2014.

The state also had problems with opposition groups who sought to defend the exclusivity of marriage between man and woman; however, Illinois became the largest state to allow same-sex marriages.

Washington D.C., New Jersey, Minnesota and Rhode Island also allow same-sex marriages despite the opposition of conservative groups.