Supreme Court clears path for same-sex marriage in California

The Supreme Court on Wednesday cleared the way for same-sex couples to marry in California, but avoided directly answering constitutional questions about state marriage laws.

In a 5-4 decision, the court said procedural issues prevented it from reaching a ruling on the merits of California’s Proposition 8, which banned same-sex marriage in the state.

{mosads}The justices said supporters of Proposition 8 did not have the legal standing to defend it in the courts. They declined to rule on the law’s merits and vacated a federal appeals court’s decision.

Chief Justice John Roberts wrote the court’s decision. Justice Anthony Kennedy led the dissent.

California officials said they would move quickly to allow same-sex couples in the state to marry.

Gov. Jerry Brown (D) said his administration has directed county clerks throughout the state to begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples as soon as a federal appeals court takes the formal steps to comply with the Supreme Court’s ruling.

The Supreme Court’s decision leaves in place a trial court’s decision invalidating Proposition 8.