The California judge who ruled that gay couples should be allowed to marry stayed his decision Wednesday pending the outcome of anticipated appeals.

On March 14, San Francisco County Superior Court Judge Richard Kramer ruled that gay couples in California can marry, and that the state's law against it was unconstitutional.

That decision was stayed automatically, but Wednesday's decision was meant to make it clear that no gay couples can get married in California until appeals have run their course. The dispute may not be settled for years.

Gloria Allred, an attorney for a Los Angeles lesbian couple who wanted to immediately marry, told the judge Wednesday that every day her clients cannot marry "is a day they are suffering irreparable harm."

Opponents of gay marriage said they immediately would appeal once Kramer finalized his ruling.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, March 30, 2005 at 8:00 PM. Want to discuss? Leave a comment below.