SALT LAKE CITY -- Same-sex couples in Utah wanting to get married are turned away. This after the U.S. Supreme Court granted the state's request for a stay. The gay couple leading the legal fight talked to Fox 13 about not being able to tie the knot.
Moudi Sbeity and Derek Kitchen had every intention of getting married this summer, but their wedding plans were put on hold after today's ruling from SCOTUS. They expressed disappointment and even called the state's arguments for its case insulting -- but one well-known political activist says there's finally, some "normalcy" in Utah.
"It sucks; we picked out rings and were ready to go full throttle this summer time, it definitely feels like the rug was pulled out from under us, temporarily," Kitchen said.
Him and his partner, Sbeity were planning their summertime nuptials when they got word about the ruling for a stay on same-sex marriages in Utah.
"It is emotionally hard. It does feel like we are once again second-class citizens. I don't know that I want it to let me feel hurt because I know it's just a bump in the road," Sbeity said.
While disappointed, Kitchen said they realize the lawsuit is bigger than their wedding.
Kitchen and Sbeity are one of three LGBT couples behind the original Amendment 3 lawsuit. They think the state's attempt to take the case to the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals is insulting.
"It is insulting and it makes me feel upset,” Sbeity said. “I want to feel angry but I don't let that happen because they are entitled to their own opinion and I cannot change that but that does not mean they have the right to impose on me what they think I should do."
Kitchen and Sbeity say no matter what happens they know they've made history.
"Even if The Supreme Court does not rule in your favor it's really the power in the narrative in your story that we have changed lives as it is, we have made a difference and I think that is much more important than anything else," Sbeity said.
For now, the couple is focusing on the legal challenges they'll face as this case moves forward. They said they were surprised by the higher court's decision and that's why they were planning a summer wedding.
While same-sex couples express disappointment, a blogger and political activist, Cherilyn Eager, said she’s glad a decision was finally made.
Eager said the Supreme Court’s ruling is a big victory for the state.
"We really are in a place now where there can be more normalcy and I think we can find some rational decisions,” she said.
