Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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June 17, 2008

Thousands of Same-Sex Couples Expected to Marry in California 
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=1CBBA71:A6F02AD83191E1607F000926B21F1DA798CBE7246176B735&
 
California will join Massachusetts as second US state to allow gay
marriages 
      Gay rights supporters celebrate outside the California Supreme
Court, 15 May 2008Thousands of same-sex couples are expected to wed in
California following the state's Supreme Court ruling that overturned a
ban on gay marriage.State officials will issue the first marriage
licenses at 5pm local time.In a four to three decision in May, the
California Supreme Court ruled against a voter-approved law that
restricted marriage to a man and woman.The court said the state
constitution's guarantee of equal rights gives same-sex couples the
right to marry.California voters will have a chance to overturn the
court ruling in November when they vote on a proposed constitutional
amendment to limit marriage to a man and a woman.Twenty-seven U.S.
states have amended their constitutions to limit marriage to a union
between a man and a woman.Californian voters passed a ban on gay
marriages in 2000 with 61 percent of the vote.A recent survey by the
Field Poll organization shows a slight m!
 ajority of Californians now support the right to same-sex marriage.Last
month, New York Governor David Paterson directed his state's agencies to
recognize same-sex marriages legally performed in other states and
countries, though the practice is not legal in New York state.California
will join Massachusetts as the second U.S. state to allow gay marriages.

 

 Some information for this report was provided by AFP and AP.

 


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