High Court Refused to Stop Oregon Gay Weddings

The U.S. Supreme Court has refused to stop gay weddings in Oregon while a federal appeals court considers a request from a traditional marriage group to intervene.

The National Organization for Marriage is trying to overturn U.S. District Judge Michael McShane's ruling in favor of gay marriage. Last month, McShane declared the state's voter-approved amendment excluding gay marriage was unconstitutional.

The group had unsuccessfully tried to intervene in the lower court proceeding after the state's Attorney Gen. Ellen Rosenblum refused to uphold the amendment.

Hundreds of same-sex couples have received marriage licenses since McShane's ruling May 19.

The state's case differs from others where the justices have blocked same-sex unions while appeals work their way through the courts.

In Oregon, however, the appeal focuses on whether the National Organization for Marriage can intervene, not on the constitutionality of the amendment.