The U.S. Supreme Court's decision not to hear appeals of gay marriage bans in five states will not directly affect Kentucky.
That's because the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has yet to rule on the state's case.
But the decision sheds light on the consequences of whatever the 6th Circuit decides, according to a lawyer representing a gay couple in Kentucky.
Laura Ladenwich said she believes the Supreme Court declined to hear the cases because there was no disagreement among the appeals courts. All of them had struck down gay marriage bans. Ladenwich said the Supreme Court likely would review Kentucky's case only if the 6th Circuit upholds the ban.
Democratic Gov. Steve Beshear, who appealed the decision to strike down Kentucky's ban, said he's waiting for the 6th Circuit's decision before deciding what to do next.