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Supreme court rejects gay marriage challenge as pride parades kick off Supreme court rejects gay marriage challenge as pride parades kick off
(3 months later)
The supreme court justice Anthony Kennedy has denied a request from Proposition 8 supporters in California to halt the issuance of same-sex marriage licenses, as thousands turned out for gay pride celebrations from New York to San Francisco. Kennedy turned away the request on Sunday, with no additional comment.The supreme court justice Anthony Kennedy has denied a request from Proposition 8 supporters in California to halt the issuance of same-sex marriage licenses, as thousands turned out for gay pride celebrations from New York to San Francisco. Kennedy turned away the request on Sunday, with no additional comment.
Opponents of same-sex marriage asked him to step in on Saturday, a day after the federal appeals court in San Francisco allowed same-sex marriages to go forward. Numerous weddings were performed at San Francisco City Hall following the court decisions.Opponents of same-sex marriage asked him to step in on Saturday, a day after the federal appeals court in San Francisco allowed same-sex marriages to go forward. Numerous weddings were performed at San Francisco City Hall following the court decisions.
The opponents said the appeals court had acted about three weeks too soon. Proposition 8 supporters could continue their efforts to halt gay marriage by filing their request with another supreme court justice.The opponents said the appeals court had acted about three weeks too soon. Proposition 8 supporters could continue their efforts to halt gay marriage by filing their request with another supreme court justice.
In New York, forecast thunderstorms failed to materialise and the annual Heritage of Pride march set off along Fifth Avenue under a baking sun. The parade was led by a convoy of lesbian and gay bikers, with Edith Windsor, the 84-year-old plaintiff in the case that led to the Supreme Court striking down Doma this week, conveyed behind in a red convertible.In New York, forecast thunderstorms failed to materialise and the annual Heritage of Pride march set off along Fifth Avenue under a baking sun. The parade was led by a convoy of lesbian and gay bikers, with Edith Windsor, the 84-year-old plaintiff in the case that led to the Supreme Court striking down Doma this week, conveyed behind in a red convertible.
Wearing a wide brimmed straw hat, sunglasses and an elegant white pant suit, Windsor – who earlier this year was appointed one of the "grand marshals" of the parade, in honour of her legal battle – waved to crowds lining the route, who erupted in wild cheers as she passed by.Wearing a wide brimmed straw hat, sunglasses and an elegant white pant suit, Windsor – who earlier this year was appointed one of the "grand marshals" of the parade, in honour of her legal battle – waved to crowds lining the route, who erupted in wild cheers as she passed by.
Local politicians, including mayor Michael Bloomberg, senator Chuck Schumer and governor Andrew Cuomo, marched among gay rights activists, a choir, and a float carrying muscle-bound male models advertising Diet Coke.Local politicians, including mayor Michael Bloomberg, senator Chuck Schumer and governor Andrew Cuomo, marched among gay rights activists, a choir, and a float carrying muscle-bound male models advertising Diet Coke.
The gay pride celebrations scheduled in San Francisco, New York, Chicago, Minneapolis-St Paul, Seattle and St Louis are annual and in most cases decades-old events whose tones and themes have mirrored the gay rights movement's greatest victories and defeats. This year's parades, coming on the heels of the supreme court's historic decisions, should be no exception.The gay pride celebrations scheduled in San Francisco, New York, Chicago, Minneapolis-St Paul, Seattle and St Louis are annual and in most cases decades-old events whose tones and themes have mirrored the gay rights movement's greatest victories and defeats. This year's parades, coming on the heels of the supreme court's historic decisions, should be no exception.
In San Francisco, the four plaintiffs in the case that led to the end of California's gay marriage ban will be riding in a contingent organized by the city attorney.In San Francisco, the four plaintiffs in the case that led to the end of California's gay marriage ban will be riding in a contingent organized by the city attorney.
"We're very lucky, sometimes I like to think that when the decisions are made, they keep us in mind," joked the NYC Pride media director, Tish Flynn."We're very lucky, sometimes I like to think that when the decisions are made, they keep us in mind," joked the NYC Pride media director, Tish Flynn.
In an average year, an estimated 2 million people show up for what is one of the world's oldest and largest gay pride parades. But Flynn expects a surge in attendance like the one New York experienced two years ago, when the march was held days after governor Cuomo won legislative passage of a measure to legalize same-sex marriage in his state.In an average year, an estimated 2 million people show up for what is one of the world's oldest and largest gay pride parades. But Flynn expects a surge in attendance like the one New York experienced two years ago, when the march was held days after governor Cuomo won legislative passage of a measure to legalize same-sex marriage in his state.
In Seattle, organizers of the city's annual Gay Pride parade were already planning on a larger gathering, because Washington voters approved same-sex marriage last November. Voters upheld a law that the legislature passed earlier in 2012. Since the measure took effect in December, more than 2,400 gay and lesbian couples have been married in the state. Adam McRoberts, spokesman for Seattle Out & Proud, said it is expected that Sunday's parade will draw record crowds. Tens of thousands of people typically line the route through Seattle's Downtown and Belltown neighborhoods. McRoberts said the parade would have nearly 200 contingents.In Seattle, organizers of the city's annual Gay Pride parade were already planning on a larger gathering, because Washington voters approved same-sex marriage last November. Voters upheld a law that the legislature passed earlier in 2012. Since the measure took effect in December, more than 2,400 gay and lesbian couples have been married in the state. Adam McRoberts, spokesman for Seattle Out & Proud, said it is expected that Sunday's parade will draw record crowds. Tens of thousands of people typically line the route through Seattle's Downtown and Belltown neighborhoods. McRoberts said the parade would have nearly 200 contingents.
In St Petersburg, Florida, where Florida's largest gay pride event took place on Saturday, officials also made plans for a record turnout. The event normally draws between 80,000-100,000 people, but Eric Skains, executive director of the St Pete Pride Parade, said about 125,000 participants were expected, largely due to the Supreme Court ruling.In St Petersburg, Florida, where Florida's largest gay pride event took place on Saturday, officials also made plans for a record turnout. The event normally draws between 80,000-100,000 people, but Eric Skains, executive director of the St Pete Pride Parade, said about 125,000 participants were expected, largely due to the Supreme Court ruling.
Although Florida is one of a few dozen states that does not recognize same-sex marriage, Skains said now was the time for the local LGBT community to work to change the laws locally. He added that the defeat of the Defense of Marriage Act "is an opportunity for us to be truly equal under the law".Although Florida is one of a few dozen states that does not recognize same-sex marriage, Skains said now was the time for the local LGBT community to work to change the laws locally. He added that the defeat of the Defense of Marriage Act "is an opportunity for us to be truly equal under the law".
This was the 11th year that parade was held in St Petersburg. The mayor of Tampa, Bob Buckhorn, became the highest-ranking Florida official ever to participate when he walked the parade route on Saturday.This was the 11th year that parade was held in St Petersburg. The mayor of Tampa, Bob Buckhorn, became the highest-ranking Florida official ever to participate when he walked the parade route on Saturday.
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