Utah threatens to ask Supreme Court for help in same-sex marriage suit

Attorney General Sean Reyes (R-Utah)

Utah officials are prepared to ask the U.S. Supreme Court to intervene in a lawsuit filed by same-sex couples demanding to have their marriages recognized.

Attorneys for Utah say in court filings Monday that they’ll appeal to the high court if a federal appeals court lifts the hold on a requirement to move forward with benefits for about 1,000 same-sex marriages in the state.

But last week, a Denver-based appeals court granted Utah’s request to temporarily delay that ruling.U.S. District Judge Dale Kimball in Utah ruled in favor of gay and lesbian couples last month, setting implementation of his order for Monday.

Utah officials argue that if the marriages are recognized now, it will jeopardize their legal appeal of Kimball’s ruling.

The gay couples suing the state have asked court to reverse its decision.