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US state to ok gay marriages
16/05/2004 11:05 - (SA)
Boston - Massachusetts on Monday will become the first US state to legalise gay marriage, amid a heated legal and political battle over such unions that has divided cities and states across America.
Massachusetts's break with America's 49 other states stems from a state Supreme Court ruling last November that said not allowing gays to wed violate anti-discrimination laws. The court gave a green light to gay marriage after seven gay and lesbian couples filed a complaint.
Across the state, towns and cities are bracing for an inundation of applications for marriage licences from gay couples seeking to legally tie the knot for the first time.
How many gay couples will apply for licences in Massachusetts Monday remains to be seen, but the controversy over gay marriage continues to rage, and protests are expected.
The battle between supporters and opponents of gay marriage continues to rage.
The US Supreme Court on Friday refused to hear a suit by conservative groups seeking to block gay marriage in Massachusetts.
By declining to get involved in the case, the high court automatically sent the case back to the US First Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston, which is to hear arguments on June 7.
Already queuing
The Massachusetts Legislature approved an amendment to the state constitution in March that bars gay marriage. But the amendment needs two further votes of approval and - if approved - would not take effect until the end of 2006.
In Boston, several dozen gay couples were already queuing at City Hall on Saturday to purchase marriage licences on Monday morning, with the plaintiffs in the state Supreme Court case at the front of the line.
In Provincetown on Cape Cod, which has a large gay population, at least 100 license requests were expected, according to the authorities.
The mayor of the university town of Cambridge, home to Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), has decided to open the doors to Cambridge City Hall on Monday at 12:01.
Celebrations are due to kick off at the city hall on Sunday night with dancing and festivities.
Honeymoons will have to be put on a hold, however. State law mandates a three-day waiting period between issuance of a marriage license and the actual marriage ceremony.
- AFP
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