koster won’t challenge same – sex decision

Same-sex marriage advocates said Monday they expect it’s just a matter of time before Missouri allows the unions, after the Supreme Court cleared the way for their expansion.

Just hours after the U.S. Supreme Court turned away appeals from five states seeking to prohibit gay marriages, Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster signaled that the state is backing away from defending its own same-sex marriage ban.

A Jackson County judge had ordered the state last week to recognize same-sex marriages legally performed in other states. Conservatives asked Koster to appeal, but he noted in a statement Monday that the high court’s action effectively makes gay marriage legal in 30 states. Missouri isn’t among them, but Koster said the state is obligated to honor contracts entered into in other states.

“Missouri’s future will be one of inclusion,” Koster added, “not exclusion.”