Hawaii Supreme Court dismisses gay marriage challenge

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HONOLULU (AP) — The state Supreme Court is dismissing a lawsuit challenging Hawaii’s gay marriage law.

The court says in an opinion Wednesday that the plaintiffs lack standing to make the challenge.

Republican state Rep. Bob McDermott is one of four people who sued to stop the state from issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples. The circuit court denied their motion for a temporary restraining order. They appealed.

Deputy Attorney General Deirdre Marie-Iha argued before the high court in December, saying the plaintiffs have no standing. She argued no one is harmed by giving rights to more people.

McDermott says the state Supreme Court took the “cowardly” way out by throwing out the case based on the plaintiffs’ standing. He says he doesn’t know what his next step will be.