Court cancels gay marriages
2004-08-12 19:19
San Francisco - The California supreme court voided all same-sex marriages sanctioned by San Francisco this year, ruling on Thursday that the mayor had overstepped his authority by issuing the couples with licenses.
The court said the city violated the law when it issued the certificates and performed the marriage ceremonies in a month-long wedding march that began on February 12.
The court said legislation and a voter-approved measure both defined marriage as a union between a man and woman.
The court, however, did not resolve whether the California constitution would permit a same-sex marriage.
It ruled, instead, on the narrow issue of whether local officials could bypass California's judicial and legislative branches.
- AP