Gay marriage a go in Idaho

WASHINGTON, Oct. 10 (UPI) -- The U.S. Supreme Court lifted a stay Friday on same-sex marriages in Idaho, allowing gay and lesbian couples to get licenses and marry in the state.

The court turned down a request by Idaho officials to wait until all appeals are decided. This week, a federal appeals court ruled that bans on same-sex marriage in Idaho and Nevada are unconstitutional, but Justice Anthony Kennedy granted Idaho a temporary stay Wednesday.

Nevada did not request a federal stay. The first same-sex couples held weddings late Thursday after county clerks were told they could begin issuing licenses.

Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden held an online session with county clerks Friday while the stay was still in place.

"They had a lot of questions about procedure and where we're at and what to do," said Todd Dvorak, a Wasden spokesman.

Since the Supreme Court overturned the federal Defense of Marriage Act last year, legal challenges have been made to every existing state ban, and same-sex marriage advocates have had a string of victories in federal and a few state courts. The high court has refused to hear appeals of decisions throwing out bans on same-sex marriages, effectively legalizing it in about half the states.