(Image source from: Ban on Florida gay marriage continues})

Gay couples in the Florida Keys will have to wait for some more time to wed legally, after a state appeals court declined to interfere into the case.

The Miami-based 3rd District Court of Appeal refused to disprove a Monroe County judge's decision to allow same sex wedding.

Circuit Judge Luis Garcia last week ruled that Florida's ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional because it discriminates against gay couples and violates the federal 14th Amendment's guarantee of due process and equal protection under the law. Garcia's initial order said marriage licenses could be issued to gays in Monroe County beginning Tuesday.

Attorney General Pam Bondi immediately filed notice of appeal, triggering an automatic stay that prevents any gay marriages until a potentially months-long appeals process is sorted out. Garcia on Monday declined to lift the stay because of the state's appeal, leading to Wednesday's action by the gay couple's lawyers.

The appeals court issued a one-sentence ruling that keeps the stay in place.

Source: Abc News