TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Reuters) - The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday declined to extend a stay sought by Florida officials defending the state's ban on same-sex marriages, allowing gay marriages to proceed in Florida next month. Some weddings would be allowed to start when a stay expires after Jan. 5 following an order by the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta earlier this month. "The Supreme Court once again has spoken, opening the door for marriage equality here," said Nadine Smith, chief executive officer of Equality Florida, an advocacy group. Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, who asked the high...