Judge McShane denied NOM’s motion to intervene. The same motion is now pending at the appeals court, which also declined to issue a stay.
The NOM lawyers were asking the Supreme Court to halt Judge McShane’s order – and halt ongoing marriages – while the group sought authority to intervene.
In a statement, NOM Chairman John Eastman said he was disappointed by the Supreme Court’s action. He said the group would maintain its appeal at the Ninth US Circuit Court of Appeals.
“We will continue to press this case because we believe that the people of Oregon are entitled to a vigorous defense of marriage, and because it is in the public interest to preserve marriage as a union of one man and one woman,” Mr. Eastman said.