This week there were four marriage equality rulings. One of those rulings could be what the SCOTUS has been waiting for to dive back into the marriage equality issue.
First, a Sixth Circuit panel has ruled to uphold bans on marriages of same-sex couples. The opinion, authored by Judge Sutton, was a bit unusual as it focused a great deal more on who should decide the marriage equality issue rather than the constitutionality of those bans. You can read more about that decision here, here, and here. All three diaries have great discussions about the decision and the pertinent issues.
A federal judge in Kansas has also ruled in favor of marriage equality. The ruling is stayed till November 11 at 5:00 PM to give state officials a chance to appeal to the Tenth Circuit (which they have, along with requesting a longer stay). You can read more about that ruling here. The Tenth Circuit denied the request for a longer stay on Friday.
In Missouri, there were two marriage equality decisions. First, a state circuit court judge ruled in favor of marriage equality and enjoined state and local officials in St. Louis from enforcing the marriage ban(s) there. There was no stay issued and couples in St. Louis have already gotten married. You can read more about that ruling here. And, a federal judge in Missouri also ruled in favor of marriage equality. That ruling is stayed pending resolution of the case (on appeal). You can read more about that ruling here.
In Florida, Judge Hinkle denied the plaintiffs' request to lift the stay in that marriage equality ruling. He also denied the state defendants' request to extend the stay. That stay will expire on January 5, 2015. The case is currently before the Eleventh Circuit.
In North Carolina, the state defendants (the state legislature) have appealed that marriage equality ruling to the Fourth Circuit.
In West Virginia, a federal judge has entered judgment for the plaintiffs in that case. This is mainly a formality because the state officials have accepted the Fourth Circuit's ruling (already) and have allowed same-sex couples to get married in the state. Nevertheless, it adds to the judicial record.
In Mississippi, a federal judge will hear oral arguments in that marriage equality case next Wednesday in Jackson.