Supreme Court denies request to halt Fla. marriage equality ruling

The Supreme Court last week denied Florida officials' request for a stay of a ruling in favor of marriage equality in the state, paving the way for same-sex couples to begin marrying in January. 

"The application for stay presented to Justice [Clarence] Thomas and by him referred to the Court is denied," the court announced, noting that Justices Thomas and Antonin Scalia would have chosen to grant the stay.