Utah Granted Request to Delay Same-Sex Benefits

An appeals court has granted Utah's request to delay granting benefits to 1,000 same-sex couples who wed after a federal judge struck down the state's marriage amendment last December.

The U.S. Supreme Court later issued a stay of that ruling, leaving those couples in legal limbo. On May 19, a judge said Utah must recognize those marriages and grant benefits to those couples next week.

However, Thursday's decision by the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals means those couples will have more waiting to do.

In order to get a permanent injunction, the state must prove the stay is needed to maintain order.