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Gay marriages resume in California after Proposition 8 ban is lifted Gay marriages resume in California after Proposition 8 ban is lifted
(35 minutes later)
Same-sex marriages resumed with a flurry in California on Friday when a panel of federal judges, acting in the wake of a historic supreme court ruling, cleared the legal barriers that had been in place since the Proposition 8 ballot measure passed in 2008.Same-sex marriages resumed with a flurry in California on Friday when a panel of federal judges, acting in the wake of a historic supreme court ruling, cleared the legal barriers that had been in place since the Proposition 8 ballot measure passed in 2008.
Two of the plaintiffs who brought the challenge to Prop 8 were the first to be married at city hall in San Francisco, after the ninth circuit court of appeals issued its order. The court had earlier said that it would wait 25 days before lifting the ban, the usual period for a supreme court ruling to take effect. The plaintiffs who brought the challenge to Prop 8 were the first to be married, after the ninth circuit court of appeals issued its order. The court had earlier said that it would wait 25 days before lifting the ban, the usual period for a supreme court ruling to take effect.
Kris Perry and Sandy Stier, of Berkeley, one of two couples who had sued to overturn the ban, were married in a ceremony officiated by Kamala Harris, the state attorney general. Jeff Katami and Paul Zarrillo, of Burbank, were due to get married later on Friday at city hall in Los Angeles. Kris Perry and Sandy Stier, of Berkeley, one of two couples who had sued to overturn the ban, were married in a ceremony officiated at city hall in San Francisco by Kamala Harris, the state attorney general. Jeff Katami and Paul Zarrillo, of Burbank, were were married at city hall in Los Angeles a short time later.
Harris declared Perry, 48, and Stier, 50, "spouses for life," but during their vows, they took each other as "lawfully wedded wife". One of their twin sons served as ring-bearer.Harris declared Perry, 48, and Stier, 50, "spouses for life," but during their vows, they took each other as "lawfully wedded wife". One of their twin sons served as ring-bearer.
Although the couple have fought for the right to marry for years, their wedding came together in a hurry when a three-judge panel of the ninth circuit court of appeals issued a brief order Friday afternoon dissolving, "effective immediately," a stay it imposed on gay marriages while the lawsuit challenging the ban advanced through the courts.Although the couple have fought for the right to marry for years, their wedding came together in a hurry when a three-judge panel of the ninth circuit court of appeals issued a brief order Friday afternoon dissolving, "effective immediately," a stay it imposed on gay marriages while the lawsuit challenging the ban advanced through the courts.
After the ceremony in Los Angeles, Zarrillo told a press conference: "I don't know if you have a word for how 'equal' feels …This is just an amazing feeling." Zarillo and Katami, who had been planning to get married in July, said they would fly immediately to be with the other plaintiffs in San Francisco, where the city's annual gay pride celebrations were getting under way.
Sponsors of California's same-sex marriage ban called the appeals court's swift action "outrageous."Sponsors of California's same-sex marriage ban called the appeals court's swift action "outrageous."
"The resumption of same-sex marriage this day has been obtained by illegitimate means. If our opponents rejoice in achieving their goal in a dishonorable fashion, they should be ashamed," said Andy Pugno, general counsel for a coalition of religious conservative groups that sponsored Proposition 8. "The resumption of same-sex marriage this day has been obtained by illegitimate means. If our opponents rejoice in achieving their goal in a dishonorable fashion, they should be ashamed," said Andy Pugno, general counsel for a coalition of religious conservative groups that sponsored Prop 8.
"It remains to be seen whether the fight can go on, but either way, it is a disgraceful day for California," Pugno said."It remains to be seen whether the fight can go on, but either way, it is a disgraceful day for California," Pugno said.
The supreme court ruled 5-4 Wednesday that Proposition 8's sponsors lacked authority to defend the measure in court once Harris and Governor Jerry Brown, both Democrats, refused to do so.The supreme court ruled 5-4 Wednesday that Proposition 8's sponsors lacked authority to defend the measure in court once Harris and Governor Jerry Brown, both Democrats, refused to do so.
The decision lets stand a trial judge's declaration that the ban, approved by voters in November 2008, violates the civil rights of gay Californians and cannot be enforced.The decision lets stand a trial judge's declaration that the ban, approved by voters in November 2008, violates the civil rights of gay Californians and cannot be enforced.
Under supreme court rules, the losing side in a legal dispute has 25 days to ask for a rehearing of the case. The court said earlier this week that it would not finalise its ruling in the Proposition 8 case until after that time had elapsed.Under supreme court rules, the losing side in a legal dispute has 25 days to ask for a rehearing of the case. The court said earlier this week that it would not finalise its ruling in the Proposition 8 case until after that time had elapsed.
It was not immediately clear whether the supreme court would halt the appeals court's action, but Brown directed California counties to start performing same-sex marriages immediately in the wake of it.It was not immediately clear whether the supreme court would halt the appeals court's action, but Brown directed California counties to start performing same-sex marriages immediately in the wake of it.
A memo from the Department of Public Health said "same-sex marriage is again legal in California" and ordered county clerks to resume issuing marriage licenses to gay couples.
Given that word did not come down from the appeals court until mid-afternoon, most counties were not prepared to stay open late to accommodate potential crowds. The clerks in a few counties announced that they would stay open a few hours later Friday.Given that word did not come down from the appeals court until mid-afternoon, most counties were not prepared to stay open late to accommodate potential crowds. The clerks in a few counties announced that they would stay open a few hours later Friday.
A jubilant San Francisco mayor Ed Lee announced that same-sex couples would be able to marry all weekend in his city, which is hosting its annual gay pride celebration this weekend. A jubilant San Francisco mayor Ed Lee announced that same-sex couples would be able to marry throughout gay pride weekend in his city.
Associated Press in San Francisco contributed to this report
Associated Press in San Francisco contributed to this report
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