The Ninth Circuit has barred gay marriages in California until defenders of traditional marriage can appeal the lower court’s ruling. The appeal has been scheduled to begin in December.

The decision, issued by a three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, trumps a lower court judge’s order that would have allowed county clerks to begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples on Wednesday.

The Ninth Circuit is typically considered one of the most liberal benches in the United States.

Update: Food for thought. How activist is Vaughn Walker when the Ninth Circuit’s ruling is relatively welcome news for conservatives?