Stay extended on Indiana same-sex marriage case

INDIANAPOLIS — The 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Monday continued the stay on same-sex marriage in Indiana until it is addressed by the U.S. Supreme Court.

The order was expected after the state of Indiana requested a stay last week on a federal appeals court decision upholding a lower court ruling that Indiana's ban is unconstitutional.

Same-sex marriages in Indiana have been on hold since June 27, when the 7th Circuit Court first issued an emergency order stopping weddings pending appeal.

Days earlier, on June 25, same-sex marriages in Indiana briefly became legal afterU.S. District Court Judge Richard Young threw out the state's ban, leading to more than 800 marriages in courthouses across the state.

The legal status of those marriages is still uncertain. Although state officials argue the continued stays make them invalid, couples in similar situations in other states have received federal recognition.

Meanwhile, two same-sex marriages have been recognized by the state of Indiana because of court orders or agreements. Earlier this year, Amy Sandler and Niki Quasney, of Munster, were granted an emergency request for recognition of their out-of-state marriage. After Young's ruling was stayed, the couple's attorneys successfully asked that an excep

tion once again be made for the couple pending the outcome of the case.

Last week, Veronica Romero and Mayra Yvette Rivera, of Whiting, were similarly granted recognition of their marriage performed in Illinois earlier this year.

Both Rivera and Quasney have ovarian cancer.

The Supreme Court could hear Indiana's same-sex marriage case soon. Last week, the Supreme Court scheduled same-sex marriage cases from five states — including Indiana — for consideration at its Sept. 29 private conference.

The court could agree to hear one or more cases this year, deny all of them, or put off its decision until later. All same-sex marriages performed in Indiana or elsewhere will not be recognized by the state — not including the two exceptions — until the case is resolved.