Schuylkill County Register of Wills Theresa Santai-Gaffney has vowed to continue fighting a federal judge's ruling striking down Pennsylvania's ban on gay marriage, despite being rebuffed by the Supreme Court.

Santai-Gaffney filed a request to stay U.S. District Judge John E. Jones' May 20 ruling after the Third Circuit Court of Appeals in Philadelphia denied her request to intervene in the case.

Without comment, Justice Samuel Alito denied Santai-Gaffney's request.

“Traditional families are the backbone of this country,” she told the Republican Herald. “We adjust our sail to weather the storm but we cannot lose sight of the destination.”

Pennsylvania became the 19th state, in addition to the District of Columbia, to allow gay couples to marry when Governor Tom Corbett decided not to appeal Jones' ruling. Santai-Gaffney is hoping to have the decision reviewed by a higher court.