Currently twenty five states allow gay marriage, but OSU Cascades first amendment professor Jim Foster says the high court's decision not to weigh in, allows more states to decide.

"It's fascinating to watch and a great teaching tool about who the Supreme Court works.  It's been pretty clear from op-ed commentary the court is going to stay out of the issue and allow state by state to decide the policy making process and let the changes in attitude play out in each of the states."

Following Monday's decision, it's now projected that gay marriage will be allowed in thirty states.

The appeals that the high court decided not to hear will allow same sex couples to marry in Utah, Indiana, Oklahoma, Virginia and Wisconsin.