Thousands of Same-Sex Couples Expected to Marry in California

16 June 2008 -- Thousands of same-sex couples are expected to wed in California following the state's Supreme Court ruling that overturned a ban on gay marriage.

State officials will issue the first marriage licenses at 5pm local time.

In a four to three decision in May, the California Supreme Court ruled against a voter-approved law that restricted marriage to a man and woman.

The court said the state constitution's guarantee of equal rights gives same-sex couples the right to marry.

California voters will have a chance to overturn the court ruling in November when they vote on a proposed constitutional amendment to limit marriage to a man and a woman.

Twenty-seven U.S. states have amended their constitutions to limit marriage to a union between a man and a woman.

Californian voters passed a ban on gay marriages in 2000 with 61 percent of the vote.

A recent survey by the Field Poll organization shows a slight majority of Californians now support the right to same-sex marriage.

Last month, New York Governor David Paterson directed his state's agencies to recognize same-sex marriages legally performed in other states and countries, though the practice is not legal in New York state.

California will join Massachusetts as the second U.S. state to allow gay marriages.

Source: VOA News

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