Marriage case
heading toward California supreme court

The California court of appeal in San Francisco on Monday declined to reconsider an October 5 ruling in which the court said gay and lesbian couples do not have a right to marry, Bay City News reports. The rejection opened the door for an appeal to the state supreme court, which could issue a ruling in the case as early as next year.

Shannon Minter, legal director for the National Center for Lesbian Rights and a lawyer for 12 gay and lesbian couples who sued the state for the right to marry, said his group would definitely appeal. "We are still very hopeful that when the case reaches the state supreme court they will do the right thing," he said, according to Bay City News.

The deadline for filing an appeal with the state high court is November 14. The court then will have up to 90 days, or until Valentine's Day, to decide whether to take the case. If the state supreme court does not agree to accept the case, the court of appeal ruling will become the final decision. (The Advocate)