The California Supreme Court on Tuesday affirmed a voter-approved ban on same-sex marriages -- but the issue is far from settled.
Already supporters of same-sex marriage are laying the groundwork for a November 2010 ballot measure to reverse the ban. And two high-profile lawyers are asking a federal court to intervene on behalf of same-sex couples. That could eventually put the issue before the U.S. Supreme Court.
Opponents of same-sex marriage celebrated Tuesday's ruling of the state's highest court, which upheld Proposition 8 on last November's ballot. Supporters bemoaned the ruling in interviews and in rallies around the state.
Several Valley counties halted same-sex marriages Wednesday as a legal battle began over a ban approved by voters.
Gay-rights activists immediately filed court challenges to Proposition 8, approved Tuesday by more than 52% of California voters, and some counties continued to issue licenses. But Fresno, Madera and Tulare counties were among the jurisdictions that stopped the practice shortly after results became clear Wednesday morning.
"We will suspend issuing same-sex marriage licenses and performing marriages until we get direction from the state or our county counsel," said Fresno County Clerk Victor Salazar.
When the U.S. Supreme Court overturned an amendment to the Colorado Constitution that outlawed discrimination protections for gay people, same-sex couples could not enter into civil unions or domestic partnerships anywhere in the nation, much less get married.
But as they seek to persuade a federal judge to strike down California's ban on gay marriages, lawyers for two unmarried gay couples are using that 13-year-old decision as their road map - one they expect will eventually lead the high court to take up the marriage issue.
In the Colorado case, Romer v. Evans, the Supreme Court majority held that voters' dislike of gays and the laws that several cities had approved to shield them from bias motivated the state amendment. Such "animus," it said, was incompatible with the section of the U.S. Constitution that requires the government to treat its citizens equally absent a compelling reason to do otherwise.
SAN DIEGO -- Many supporters of President Obama have gone "all in" on this administration. Considering it too historic to fail, either they can't see this White House's shortcomings and mistakes or they simply refuse to acknowledge them.
With one notable exception: gay and lesbian activists who are, as they say, so over that.
The relationship got off to a rocky start. Many gays and lesbians were so eager to help put an end to Republican control of the presidency that they enthusiastically became part of the coalition that helped elect Obama -- even though he opposed gay marriage.
In the first two hours after the downtown office doors opened June 17, more than 40 couples had applied for a same-sex marriage license -- 30 of whom opted for a ceremony on the spot. We were there to capture the events live, including the first sanctioned same-sex marriage ceremony in Fresno County.
Supporters vs. protesters (cont.):
Protesters vs. supporters:
Fresno County Clerk Victor Salazar talks about the first day of gay marriage:
Signs of support:
Sign pointing out reasons why to allow gay marriage:
Judge Dennis Caeton discusses presiding over the first ceremony:
Tinasha Broadus, 30, and Alicia Rice, 35, have the first ceremony today:
Michael Butler and John Tipton, together 16 years:
Cory and Gail, together for 15 years:
Randy Gray and Jason Scott prepare to get married:
Teddy and David, together five years:
Renee Potik and Kay Taus support others in Fresno:
Luis and Chris, together seven years
Arrival on the scene, 7:30 a.m.:
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