Federal appeals court denies request to expedite Texas marriage case

While marriage equality cases across the country have had expedited hearings on whether same-sex couples have the right to marry, Texas’ case at the appellate level won’t have the same treatment.

The 5th Circuit of Appeals issued a ruling Wednesday that denied the same-sex couples’ request to expedite the trial, court records show.

A federal San Antonio district judge ruled that the state’s marriage amendment was unconstitutional back in February after arguments for a preliminary injunction, which would have prevented state officials from enforcing the law. But the judge also ordered a stay pending appeal. The state did appeal, followed by a request to speed up the hearing about the injunction.

The appeals court hasn’t set a date for arguments.

With all the support for same-sex marriage over the last year, it seems members of the Conservative Republicans of Texas are not too pleased. They are planning a “Defense of Texas Marriage Amendment Rally” on June 5 at the Omni Hotel in Fort Worth. They also have an online petition supporting their cause.

http://www.dallasvoice.com/federal-appeals-court-denies-request-expedite-texas-marriage-case-10173365.html