By Michelle K. Wendlinger

In a surprising move, the Supreme Court of the United States decided to stay out of the controversial same-sex marriage debate.  On October 6, 2014, the Court issued orders denying review of same-sex marriage bans currently in place in seven states, including Indiana.  The Court denied review of all seven of the petitions arising from challenges to state bans on same-sex marriage. This means that the lower-court decisions striking down bans in Indiana, Wisconsin, Utah, Oklahoma, and Virginia will go into effect, clearing the way for same-sex marriages in those states and any other state with similar bans in those circuits.  This decision makes same-sex marriage legal in 30 states, including Indiana, and the District of Columbia.