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California gay marriage ban lifted California gay marriage ban lifted
(35 minutes later)
A US appeals court has lifted a ban on same-sex marriages in California, following a Supreme Court ruling.A US appeals court has lifted a ban on same-sex marriages in California, following a Supreme Court ruling.
The order was issued by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco.The order was issued by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco.
Within moments, gay weddings resumed at the city hall - the first such marriages in the state since the voter-approved ban in November 2008.Within moments, gay weddings resumed at the city hall - the first such marriages in the state since the voter-approved ban in November 2008.
On Wednesday the US Supreme Court left in place a lower court ruling which had struck down the ban - also known as Proposition 8.On Wednesday the US Supreme Court left in place a lower court ruling which had struck down the ban - also known as Proposition 8.
The ruling means that 13 US states and the District of Columbia now recognise same-sex marriage.
Supporters of Proposition 8 described the appeals's court action as "outrageous".
'Wait is over''Wait is over'
The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals had been expected to wait 25 days before lifting the ban - in case the losing side wanted to ask for the case to be heard again.The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals had been expected to wait 25 days before lifting the ban - in case the losing side wanted to ask for the case to be heard again.
But judges at the appeals court decided to act on Friday, saying: "The stay in the above matter is dissolved effective immediately."But judges at the appeals court decided to act on Friday, saying: "The stay in the above matter is dissolved effective immediately."
Shortly afterwards, one of the two same-sex couples whose case led to the Supreme Court's Wednesday decision got married at San Francisco's town hall.Shortly afterwards, one of the two same-sex couples whose case led to the Supreme Court's Wednesday decision got married at San Francisco's town hall.
The wedding of Kris Perry, 48, and Sandy Stier, 50, was officiated by California's Attorney General Kamala Harris.The wedding of Kris Perry, 48, and Sandy Stier, 50, was officiated by California's Attorney General Kamala Harris.
He declared them "spouse and spouse", but during their vows they took each other as a "lawfully wedded wife", the Associated Press news agency reports. She declared them "spouse and spouse", but during their vows they took each other as a "lawfully wedded wife", the Associated Press news agency reports.
"They have waited and fought for this moment. Today their wait is finally over," Mr Harris said. "They have waited and fought for this moment. Today their wait is finally over," Ms Harris said.
"This is really a great day," said Cindy Stier.
Meanwhile, Proposition 8 supporters accused their opponents of "achieving their goal in a dishonourable fashion".
"It remains to be seen whether the fight can go on, but either way, it is a disgraceful day for California,'' said Andy Pugno, general counsel for the coalition of religious conservative groups that had sponsored Proposition 8.
'No authority''No authority'
Proposition 8 was passed by California voters in 2008 - just months after the state's supreme court decided such unions were legal.Proposition 8 was passed by California voters in 2008 - just months after the state's supreme court decided such unions were legal.
Two same-sex couples launched a legal challenge against Proposition 8. As the state of California refused to defend the ban on gay marriage, the group that sponsored Proposition 8 stepped up to do so. The two same-sex couples launched a legal challenge against Proposition 8. As the state of California refused to defend the ban on gay marriage, the group that sponsored Proposition 8 stepped up to do so.
On Wednesday, the US Supreme Court said a private party did not have the right, or "standing", to defend the constitutionality of a law, because it could not demonstrate it would suffer injury if the law were to be struck down and same-sex marriages allowed.On Wednesday, the US Supreme Court said a private party did not have the right, or "standing", to defend the constitutionality of a law, because it could not demonstrate it would suffer injury if the law were to be struck down and same-sex marriages allowed.
"We have no authority to decide this case on the merits," Chief Justice John Roberts wrote in the ruling."We have no authority to decide this case on the merits," Chief Justice John Roberts wrote in the ruling.