KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Same-sex marriage advocates hope Missouri will stop fighting the unions after the Supreme Court cleared the way for their expansion.
An order issued Monday turned away appeals from five states seeking to prohibit gay and lesbian marriages, effectively making gay marriage legal in 30 states.
Although Missouri isn't among those states, it has been moving in that direction. On Friday, a circuit judge ordered the state to recognize same-sex marriages legally performed in other states.
Two pending Missouri cases focus on the legality of issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
American Civil Liberties Union Attorney Tony Rothert says the state should stop defending its same-sex marriage ban after the recent court actions. His organization reached out to Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster, who didn't immediately return a call seeking comment.