Book a DJ, relase the doves and ring those wedding bells: the California Supreme Court overturned a ban on gay marriage today. But you'd better save the date -- and quick!
From SF Chronicle:
In a 4-3 decision, the justices
said the state's ban on same-sex marriage violates the "fundamental
constitutional right to form a family relationship." The ruling is
likely to flood county courthouses with applications from couples newly
eligible to marry when the decision takes effect in 30 days.
The city clerk's office in San Francisco is preparing for a flood of marriage license applications. They're also considering what needs to be changed on the current forms, which have a space for the bride's name and a space for the groom's.
But where there's happy gay smoke, there's conservative Christian fire.
The celebration could turn out
to be short-lived, however. The court's decision could be overturned in
November, when Californians are likely to vote on a state
constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriages. Conservative
religious organizations have submitted more than 1.1 million signatures
on initiative petitions, and officials are working to determine if at
least 694,354 of them are valid.
Meanies.
In the meantime, to all those gay or straight who make it down the aisle before November and maybe (crossing fingers, after), many happy years!
Photo: SF Gate
