Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker argued the state’s fight over same-sex marriage is now over, after the U.S. Supreme Court failed to take up an appeal of a lower court decision.
“For us, it’s over in Wisconsin. … The federal courts have ruled that this decision by this court of appeals decision is the law of the land and we will be upholding it,” the Republican governor said, according to the Associated Press.
Milwaukee County Clerk Joseph Czarnezki said he would issue marriage licenses “to everyone — same-sex, opposite-sex — immediately.”
The Supreme Court’s decision to decline to review decisions in five states effectively legalized gay marriage in Indiana, Oklahoma, Utah and Virginia as well. That brought the number of states that recognize gay marriage to 24 plus the District of Columbia.
The decision also means that lower courts in North and South Carolina, Kansas, Colorado, West Virginia and Wyoming will likely soon strike down state bans as well.
