Reuters reported on Monday that the United States Supreme Court has decided to not issue a ruling yet on legal matters regarding same sex marriage. The court said that it could issue a ruling on Friday, which would be when it would hear multiple appeals about the issue.
On Friday, the nine justices of the court met to discuss whether or not they would review challenges to the Defense of Marriage Act. The act denies federal benefits to married same sex couples. The court also met regarding the gay marriage ban in California, which is called Proposition 8.
When the court meets again in private this Friday it could let the public know if it will review one or more of the same-sex appeals in the country. The court could make its announcement by Friday or wait until the following Monday to do so. The court could take the same route it did this past Friday, which was not taking any action on the appeals.
Nine states and the District of Columbia have passed gay marriage laws while 31 states have passed constitutional amendments that ban gay marriage. Same sex couples married in states where it is legal are still ineligible for federal benefits due to the Defense of Marriage Act.
The Supreme Court will also decide if it will review challenges to Prop 8, which is Hollingsworth v. Perry. The case has been looking for marriage equality for lesbians and gays under the United States Constitution.