( CNN ) -- A federal judge on Friday temporarily blocked same-sex marriages in Wisconsin , pending appeals . The same judge last week struck down the state 's same-sex marriage ban . She did not stay her ruling then , allowing a number of same-sex marriages to proceed . `` After seeing the expressions of joy on the faces of so many newly wedded couples featured in media reports , I find it difficult to impose a stay on the event that is responsible for eliciting that emotion , even if the stay is only temporary . Same-sex couples have waited many years to receive equal treatment under the law , so it is understandable that they do not want to wait any longer , '' U.S. District Judge Barbara Crabb wrote in her decision Friday . However , she added : `` A federal district court is required to follow the guidance provided by the Supreme Court . Because I see no way to distinguish this case from Herbert , I conclude that I must stay any injunctive relief pending appeal . '' Crabb was referring to a Supreme Court case in which same-sex marriages in Utah were put on hold . Speaking about the judge 's ruling Friday , Carl Tobias , a constitutional law professor at the University of Richmond , said that Crabb clearly felt constrained by the higher court . `` That leaves Wisconsin couples married in the last week in legal limbo , like couples in Utah and Michigan who married after the bans were invalidated and before stays were issued , '' he said . Same-sex marriage is legal in 19 U.S states and the District of Columbia : California , Connecticut , Delaware , Hawaii , Illinois , Iowa , Maine , Maryland , Massachusetts , Minnesota , New Hampshire , New Jersey , New Mexico , New York , Oregon , Pennsylvania , Rhode Island , Vermont and Washington . Worldwide , 16 other countries ( and parts of Mexico ) also have laws allowing same-sex marriage and domestic partnerships . Most of these are in Europe and South America . Fast Facts : Same-sex marriage . CNN 's AnneClaire Stapleton and Greg Botelho contributed to this report .
A federal judge temporarily blocks same-sex marriage . The same judge struck down Wisconsin 's ban on same-sex marriage last week . Friday 's decision leaves married same-sex couples in `` legal limbo ''