Chief Justice John Roberts on Tuesday denied a last-minute request by traditional marriage supporters to stop Washington, D.C.'s same-sex marriage law from taking effect.
As a "matter of judicial policy," Roberts said in an opinion that it has been the practice of the U.S. Supreme Court not to intervene in local matters.
The Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Equality Amendment Act of 2009, permitting same-sex couples to marry in the District of Columbia, went into effect Wednesday. Gay and lesbian couples began applying for marriage licenses with the D.C. Superior Court early morning.
The nation's capital is now the sixth U.S. jurisdiction where same-sex marriage is legal.
Opponents of the new law, which was passed in December, filed court papers with Roberts requesting for a stay in order to hold a referendum on the issue. They, including Washington, D.C.-based pastor Walter E. Fauntroy, argued that if the bill becomes law they would permanently lose any rise to pursue a referendum.
Though their argument has "some force," Roberts said a stay is not warranted. He noted that petitioners are also pursuing a ballot initiative, which would give D.C. voters a similar opportunity to repeal the marriage act after it becomes law.
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