The Third Circuit Court of Appeals on Monday denied Schuylkill County Register of Wills Theresa Santai-Gaffney's request for an en banc hearing on her request to intervene in a federal case challenging Pennsylvania's ban on gay marriage.

On May 20, U.S. District Judge John E. Jones struck down Pennsylvania's ban as unconstitutional. Pennsylvania became the 19th state, in addition to the District of Columbia, to allow gay couples to marry when Republican Governor Tom Corbett decided against appealing Jones' ruling.

Santai-Gaffney turned to the full Third Circuit after a 3-judge panel denied her request to intervene on July 3. She is expected to appeal the decision to the Supreme Court.

Last month, Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito denied the clerk's request to stay the ruling as she attempts to intervene in the case.

In response to Alito's decision, Santai-Gaffney told the Republican Herald that she was not prepared to give up her fight.

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