NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The U.S. Supreme Court says it won't hear Louisiana's same-sex marriage ban before the federal appeals court in New Orleans considers it.
The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals heard the case Friday.
But, in an unusual move, both supporters of same-sex marriage and the state had already asked the Supreme Court to hear the case before the appeal is decided.
Louisiana is the only state where a federal district judge has found such bans constitutional. However, in November, an appeals court in Cincinnati upheld gay marriage bans in Kentucky, Michigan, Tennessee and Ohio.
Four other appeals courts and dozens of district judges have overturned such bans.
The justices' meeting Monday was the first time they had the issue before them since deciding in October against taking up same-sex marriage.
