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California gay marriage ban lifted | California gay marriage ban lifted |
(about 11 hours 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. | The ruling means that 13 US states and the District of Columbia now recognise same-sex marriage. |
Supporters of Proposition 8 described the appeals court's 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, two same-sex couples whose case led to the Supreme Court's Wednesday decision got married. | Shortly afterwards, two same-sex couples whose case led to the Supreme Court's Wednesday decision got married. |
The wedding of Kris Perry, 48, and Sandy Stier, 50, was officiated by California's Attorney General Kamala Harris 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 at San Francisco's town hall. |
She declared them "spouse and spouse", but during their vows they took each other as a "lawfully wedded wife". | She declared them "spouse and spouse", but during their vows they took each other as a "lawfully wedded wife". |
"They have waited and fought for this moment. Today their wait is finally over," Ms Harris said. | "They have waited and fought for this moment. Today their wait is finally over," Ms Harris said. |
The other couple, Paul Katami and Jeff Zarrillo, married in Los Angeles. | The other couple, Paul Katami and Jeff Zarrillo, married in Los Angeles. |
Meanwhile, Proposition 8 supporters accused their opponents of "achieving their goal in a dishonourable fashion". | Meanwhile, Proposition 8 supporters accused their opponents of "achieving their goal in a dishonourable fashion". |
"It is a disgraceful day for California,'' said Andy Pugno, general counsel for the coalition of religious conservative groups that had sponsored the proposition. | "It is a disgraceful day for California,'' said Andy Pugno, general counsel for the coalition of religious conservative groups that had sponsored the proposition. |
Proposition 8 was passed in 2008 - months after California's supreme court decided such unions were legal. | Proposition 8 was passed in 2008 - months after California's supreme court decided such unions were legal. |
The two couples launched the legal challenge. As the state of California refused to defend the proposition, the group that sponsored it stepped up to do so. | The two couples launched the legal challenge. As the state of California refused to defend the proposition, the group that sponsored it stepped up to do so. |
On Wednesday the Supreme Court ruled that a private party could not challenge the earlier lower court ruling, as it could not demonstrate it would suffer injury if same-sex marriages were allowed. | On Wednesday the Supreme Court ruled that a private party could not challenge the earlier lower court ruling, as it could not demonstrate it would suffer injury if same-sex marriages were allowed. |