Breaking: Same-sex Marriage Petitions Denied By U.S. Supreme Court - Updated

Supremes say to Utah, "Stop! In the Name of Love"

Heartening news for supporters of Utah marriage equality, as the US Supreme Court "this morning issued additional orders from its September 29 Conference. Most notably, the Court denied review of all seven of the petitions arising from challenges to state bans on same-sex marriage. This means that the lower-court decisions striking down bans in Indiana, Wisconsin, Utah, Oklahoma, and Virginia should go into effect shortly, clearing the way for same-sex marriages in those states and any other state with similar bans in those circuits":

• Today’s orders: Same-sex marriage petitions denied - Scotus Blog

"Last month Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg had suggested that the Court might not step into the controversy at this point, because there was no disagreement among the lower courts on that issue. Today her prediction proved true, with the Court denying review (without any comment) of the seven petitions."

Read an expanded morning analysis via the New York Times:

• Supreme Court Clears Way for Gay Marriage in 5 [7] States

"Supremes say to Utah, 'Stop! In the Name of Love,'" in other words.

(H/T to Cousin Jim, for the clever thematic twist.)

Update 10/6/14 9:45 a.m.: "One thing that should be noted is that there are still marriage equality cases pending before conservative circuits that could rule against equality. Nevertheless, the fact that marriages are likely to begin very shortly in the states currently subject to court orders will make it very difficult for the Supreme Court to reverse course — and retroactively invalidate those marriages — in a subsequent opinion:

• The Supreme Court Just Quietly Made Marriage Equality The Law Of The Land In Many States

Update 10/6/14 10:30 a.m.:  Over at the wacky Sutherland Institute "Think Hate Tank," there's the predictable "wailing and gnashing of teeth":

• Statement on Supreme Court’s refusal to hear marriage case

"We will be stubborn,"  The Sutherland Institute sez