A reader sent me an email correcting my statement that Judge Walker has "issued a stay pending appeal to the 9th Circuit." The reader is correct. Judge Walker has actually issued a temporary stay while he decides whether or not to grant a permanent stay. A "stay" is an order from the judge delaying implementation of a ruling. In this case, a "stay" means that homosexuals cannot get married in California until the stay is lifted.
While the reader's correction may seem overly technical, it actually is a big difference from my initial incorrect statement. The 9th Circuit likely will take a long time to hear the case on appeal (first in a 3 judge panel, then most likely on a second appeal in an 11 judge "en banc" panel), and throughout that period Judge Walker's ruling would remain on hold if the stay were extended until all appeals were resolved.
