FILE - In this Dec. 22, 2013, file photo, Heather, left, and Jax Collins of West Jordan join hundreds of other same-sex couples descending on county clerk offices around the state of Utah including the Salt Lake County office to request marriage licenses. The Supreme Court on Monday, Jan. 6, 2014, put same-sex marriages on hold in Utah, at least while a federal appeals court more fully considers the issue. (AP Photo/The Salt Lake Tribune, Francisco Kjolseth, File)
January 06, 2014 - 7:47 AM
WASHINGTON - The Supreme Court has put same-sex marriages on hold in the state of Utah, at least while a federal appeals court more fully considers the issue.
The court issued a brief order Monday blocking any new same-sex unions in the western state.
The order follows an emergency appeal by the state following the Dec. 20 ruling by U.S. District Judge Robert Shelby that the state's ban on same-sex marriage violates gay and lesbian couples' constitutional rights.
More than 900 gay and lesbian couples have married since then.
The high court order will remain in effect until the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals decides whether to uphold Shelby's ruling.
News from © The Associated Press, 2014