AP

CASPER, Wyo. (AP) — A federal court hearing next week could enable same-sex couples to begin getting marriage licenses in Wyoming.

Four same-sex couples and a gay-rights advocacy group filed suit Tuesday seeking the right to marry in Wyoming. U.S. District Judge Scott Skavdahl will consider their request to decide immediately on gay marriage in Wyoming at Thursday's hearing in Casper.

The U.S. Supreme Court declined Monday to review several rulings that upheld the right of same-sex couples to wed. The cases included one from the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals, which covers Wyoming and five other states.

Even so, county clerks have yet to grant same-sex marriage licenses in Wyoming because of a pending state-court lawsuit. Gov. Matt Mead says Wyoming will continue defending a state law prohibiting gay marriage in that case.