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Group seeks to void gay marriages | Group seeks to void gay marriages |
(about 11 hours later) | |
A US group opposed to same-sex marriages has asked the California Supreme Court to annul thousands of gay marriages held in the state this year. | A US group opposed to same-sex marriages has asked the California Supreme Court to annul thousands of gay marriages held in the state this year. |
In a November referendum, voters backed Proposition 8, a measure to amend the state constitution to define marriage as between a man and a woman only. | In a November referendum, voters backed Proposition 8, a measure to amend the state constitution to define marriage as between a man and a woman only. |
Thousands of same-sex couples had wed after the Supreme Court ruled in June that such marriages were permissible. | Thousands of same-sex couples had wed after the Supreme Court ruled in June that such marriages were permissible. |
A Proposition 8 campaign group says those unions should not be recognised. | A Proposition 8 campaign group says those unions should not be recognised. |
'No exceptions' | 'No exceptions' |
The group, called Yes on 8, filed its court brief in response to several legal challenges seeking to overturn Proposition 8. | The group, called Yes on 8, filed its court brief in response to several legal challenges seeking to overturn Proposition 8. |
"Proposition 8's brevity is matched by its clarity," said the group's brief. | "Proposition 8's brevity is matched by its clarity," said the group's brief. |
"There are no conditional clauses, exceptions, exemptions or exclusions: 'Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognised in California.'" | "There are no conditional clauses, exceptions, exemptions or exclusions: 'Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognised in California.'" |
Proposition 8 was backed by 52.1% of California voters in a referendum on 4 November, held at the same time as the US presidential election. | Proposition 8 was backed by 52.1% of California voters in a referendum on 4 November, held at the same time as the US presidential election. |
Supporters of same-sex marriages say the ban on such unions cannot be applied retroactively. | Supporters of same-sex marriages say the ban on such unions cannot be applied retroactively. |
HAVE YOUR SAY I don't think you can retroactively undo what a state has already done Glen Barrington, USA Send us your comments | |
California's attorney general, Jerry Brown, also filed a brief on Friday, saying the Proposition 8 amendment was unconstitutional and deprived gay couples of a fundamental right, Associated Press news agency reported. | California's attorney general, Jerry Brown, also filed a brief on Friday, saying the Proposition 8 amendment was unconstitutional and deprived gay couples of a fundamental right, Associated Press news agency reported. |
The Supreme Court has said it will hear the challenges to Proposition 8, but that pending its ruling, the ban on gay marriage remains in effect. | The Supreme Court has said it will hear the challenges to Proposition 8, but that pending its ruling, the ban on gay marriage remains in effect. |
The court has said a hearing on the challenges could be held by next March. | The court has said a hearing on the challenges could be held by next March. |
Connecticut and Massachusetts are the only states to allow gay marriage. Several other states allow civil unions. | Connecticut and Massachusetts are the only states to allow gay marriage. Several other states allow civil unions. |
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