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Groups Ask California Supreme Court to Halt San Francisco Same-Sex Marriages
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Opponents of gay marriage asked the California Supreme Court on Wednesday to order an immediate end to the issuing of marriage licenses to same-sex couples in San Francisco. By the close of business on Wednesday, the court had not responded to the request, and a court spokeswoman said there would be no reply overnight. The filing by the Alliance Defense Fund and the Center for Marriage Law signaled the frustration opponents to same-sex marriage have with the California attorney general, Bill Lockyer, who for two weeks has taken no formal action to stop the marriages. Mr. Lockyer said Tuesday that he would file papers on Friday with the State Supreme Court asking for a ruling on the legality of marriages. He said his office had not yet decided whether to also ask the court to stop the issuance of licenses. Almost everyone agrees that the licenses violate the state family code, which defines marriage as between a man and a woman, but officials in San Francisco maintain equal protection provisions in the state Constitution should take precedence. Two lawsuits have been filed against the city in San Francisco Superior Court challenging the city’s policy in granting the licenses. More : query.nytimes.com |
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