RICHMOND, Va. (AP) _ Same-sex couples could begin marrying as early as next week in Virginia after a federal appeals court refused to delay its ruling that struck down the state’s gay marriage ban. The state would also need to start recognizing gay marriages from out of state next Wednesday, though the U.S. Supreme Court could effectively put same-sex marriages on hold again if opponents are able to win an emergency delay. Nancy Leong is a law professor at the University of Denver. She says while clerks in other states within the 4th Circuit — West Virginia and the Carolinas — wouldn’t technically have to begin issuing licenses as well, federal courts in the state would likely make them if they don’t.
