Gay Couples Rejoice at Ruling, opponents might seek a stay of the decision until after Noiveber election

SAN FRANCISCO — Gay and lesbian couples in San Francisco rejoiced Thursday over a state Supreme Court decision affirming their right to marry even as political leaders on both sides of the issue prepared for an extended fight over the ruling in the courts and at the ballot box.

Hundreds of people showed up at San Francisco City Hall, including some women in wedding dresses and at least one carrying an open bottle of Champagne.

“It’s just amazing to feel like I am a full citizen — I am not a second-class citizen,” said Christmas Leubrie, a nurse, who was with her partner, Alice Heimsoth, across the street from City Hall on the steps of the Supreme Court building.

Gay rights organizations said the decision was a watershed moment for their movement, which has seen greater societal acceptance in recent decades but continued opposition in some quarters toward same-sex marriage.

“Today will go down as a true turning point,” said Geoff Kors, the executive director of Equality California, a gay rights advocacy group. “It really is a very powerful message that love trumps hate and hope trumps fear.”

But the battle in California is not over. Opponents of same-sex marriage said they had gathered more than one million signatures to place a constitutional amendment on the November ballot that would define marriage as between a man and woman, and effectively undo Thursday’s decision.

Those signatures are still being inspected by county officials under the direction of the Secretary of State.

Robert Tyler, a lawyer with Advocates for Faith and Freedom, which argued against same-sex marriage before the California court, said opponents might seek a stay of the decision until voters can take up the issue in November.

 

Gay Couples Rejoice at Ruling New York Times