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US judges deliberate gay marriage | US judges deliberate gay marriage |
(about 9 hours later) | |
California's top court has begun debating a motion to overturn a ban on same-sex marriage, amid protests from activists on both sides of the debate. | California's top court has begun debating a motion to overturn a ban on same-sex marriage, amid protests from activists on both sides of the debate. |
The state's supreme court ruled last May that same-sex unions were legal. | The state's supreme court ruled last May that same-sex unions were legal. |
But in November Californians voted to reimpose the ban via a constitutional amendment know as Proposition 8. | But in November Californians voted to reimpose the ban via a constitutional amendment know as Proposition 8. |
Gay-marriage supporters have now brought a motion challenging the legality of Proposition 8. The court has 90 days to issue a ruling. | Gay-marriage supporters have now brought a motion challenging the legality of Proposition 8. The court has 90 days to issue a ruling. |
Should the judges uphold Proposition 8, they will then have to determine whether 18,000 people who married while such unions were permitted can still be regarded as being legally wed. | Should the judges uphold Proposition 8, they will then have to determine whether 18,000 people who married while such unions were permitted can still be regarded as being legally wed. |
Human-rights challenge | Human-rights challenge |
The argument has polarised California, and much of the US. | The argument has polarised California, and much of the US. |
Outside the San Francisco court, hundreds of people from all around the state gathered, waving placards and chanting slogans. | Outside the San Francisco court, hundreds of people from all around the state gathered, waving placards and chanting slogans. |
Dana Tibbits, an opponent of same-sex marriage, said she had driven 400 miles (650km) to join the crowd of Proposition 8 supporters, to ensure the voices of "7 million voters" would be heard. | Dana Tibbits, an opponent of same-sex marriage, said she had driven 400 miles (650km) to join the crowd of Proposition 8 supporters, to ensure the voices of "7 million voters" would be heard. |
The people ultimately decided Ken StarrLawyer | The people ultimately decided Ken StarrLawyer |
On the other side, law student Ronald Cruz said gay people were not prepared to take "second-class treatment" any more. | On the other side, law student Ronald Cruz said gay people were not prepared to take "second-class treatment" any more. |
San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, whose administration is seeking to overturn the ban, said the case represented a challenge to human rights. | San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, whose administration is seeking to overturn the ban, said the case represented a challenge to human rights. |
"If the will of a simple majority can take away the rights of a minority at any time, then there's nothing to stop a subsequent majority taking away your rights... on religious or ethnic grounds," he said. | "If the will of a simple majority can take away the rights of a minority at any time, then there's nothing to stop a subsequent majority taking away your rights... on religious or ethnic grounds," he said. |
Supporters of Proposition 8, led by lawyer Ken Starr, believe the issue is about democracy. | Supporters of Proposition 8, led by lawyer Ken Starr, believe the issue is about democracy. |
In court submissions, Mr Starr is quoted as saying: "The people ultimately decided. Under our system of constitutional government, that is the end of the matter." | In court submissions, Mr Starr is quoted as saying: "The people ultimately decided. Under our system of constitutional government, that is the end of the matter." |
Last November's referendum called for the California constitution to be amended by adding the phrase: "Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognised in California." | Last November's referendum called for the California constitution to be amended by adding the phrase: "Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognised in California." |
Some 52.5% of voters backed the initiative. | Some 52.5% of voters backed the initiative. |
The measure was among 153 state-level proposals American voters were asked to decide on at the same time as the presidential election. | The measure was among 153 state-level proposals American voters were asked to decide on at the same time as the presidential election. |
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