The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Va. last Wednesday refused a Prince William County clerk's request to stay a July federal District Court ruling striking down the state's ban on same-sex marriage.
Unless the U.S. Supreme Court intervenes, same-sex couples in Virginia will be able to marry as soon as next Wednesday. In addition, the 4th Circuit ruling could upend similar state bans in its jurisdiction -- including North Carolina, South Carolina and West Virginia -- as long as the Supreme Court does not issue a temporary stay on the decision.
