The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals declined today to reconsider the February ruling that struck down Proposition 8, California's ban on gay marriage -- which means the legislation is headed to the conservative-leaning U.S. Supreme Court.

An appeal to the higher court in the coming months is the only chance that Prop 8 supporters have of reviving the same-sex marriage ban. If the justices agree to hear the case, they would be expected to rule by June 2013.

[mercnews]