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Court halts proceedings in Puerto Rico same-sex marriage lawsuit

Court halts proceedings in Puerto Rico same-sex marriage lawsuit
San Juan, Puerto Rico
San Juan, Puerto Rico

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — A lawsuit challenging a Puerto Rico law defining marriage as between a man and a woman has been put on hold pending a ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Several same-sex couples in the U.S. territory have challenged local laws including those that prohibit same-sex marriage and the recognition of such marriages.

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The issue of same-sex marriage is expected to go before the Supreme Court this month. The 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston said Tuesday it will await that decision before scheduling oral arguments in the Puerto Rico case.

The island’s Justice Department previously has defended the laws in court, but local Justice Secretary Cesar Miranda said last month that the department will no longer do so.

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