Court lifts stay in Oklahoma gay marriage cases

Oklahoma City (AP) — Gay couples planned to wed in Oklahoma after the U.S. Supreme Court declined to take up an appeal in the case, though court clerks in many counties say they're awaiting more guidance before issuing any licenses.

Following the high court's surprise decision, which effectively means gay marriage is legal in 30 states, the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver lifted the stays for both Oklahoma and Utah.

In Oklahoma, longtime partners Sharon Baldwin and Mary Bishop had sued the Tulsa County court clerk for failing to issue them a marriage license shortly after state voters approved a ban on same-sex marriage a decade ago. Baldwin said she and Bishop were planning to wed Monday evening in Tulsa.

"It looks like it might be our wedding night," Baldwin said. "We're operating under the theory that we're probably getting married today."

Court clerks in several Oklahoma counties said they were waiting for advice from the local district attorney before issuing any marriage licenses to gay couples.

"The district attorney's office came over to me and said he was still looking into it," said Cleveland County Court Clerk Rhonda Hall, who said her office received several phone calls and had some couples apply for a marriage license.

"We just asked them to check back with us," Hall said.

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by Sean Murphy, Associated Press. Associated Press reporter Justin Juozapavicius in Tulsa contributed to this report.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

The Gayly – October 6, 2014 @ 12:55pm