LARRY O’DELL
Associated Press

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — The Richmond-based federal appeals court says its ruling authorizing same-sex marriages in Virginia will take effect Monday afternoon.

According to the clerk’s office, the mandate will be issued at 1 p.m. Court clerks will be able to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples after that time.

The U.S. Supreme Court cleared the way for an immediate expansion of same-sex marriage by unexpectedly turning away appeals from Virginia and four other states seeking to prohibit gay and lesbian unions. The court’s order effectively makes gay marriage legal now in 30 states.

Without comment, the justices brought to an end delays in same-sex marriages in five states– Indiana, Oklahoma, Utah and Wisconsin as well as Virginia.

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