A last minute attempt to block Thursday's start of a gay marriage law in Rhode Island has failed.

Judge Daniel A. Procaccini denied a request for a temporary restraining order sought by Ronald L'Heureux, a co-founder of the Faith Alliance to Preserve the Sanctity of Marriage as Defined by God, the Providence Journal reported.

Procaccini reportedly said that L'Heureux had fallen “far short” of the criteria needed for him to approve the request. Instead, a preliminarily hearing was scheduled for August 9.

L'Heureux said that the law “violates the Constitution and causes irreparable harm, and once it passes they're going to teach my children and grandchildren conduct that's reprehensible to my faith.”

One of the first couples to marry on Thursday will be that of Representative Frank Ferri, a Democrat, and his husband, Tony Caparco. The men married in Vancouver in 2006.

The Ferri-Caparco wedding will be officiated by House Speaker Gordon D. Fox, also an openly gay Democrat.