The door is wide open for even more gay couples to wed in San Francisco, since the California Supremes declined to stop the weddings and nullify the 3,500 marriages already performed..
The California Supreme Court declined a request by the state attorney general Friday to immediately shut down San Francisco’s gay weddings and nullify the nearly 3,500 marriages already performed.
The decision marked yet another setback to conservatives in their fight to block the rush to the altar by gay couples in San Francisco. More than 3,400 couples have tied the knot since the city began issuing marriage licenses two weeks ago, under the directive of Mayor Gavin Newsom.
At the prodding of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Attorney General Bill Lockyer asked the justices to intervene in the emotionally charged debate while they consider the legality of the marriages. But the justices declined, and told the city and a conservative group that opposes gay marriages to file new legal briefs by March 5.
Without taking a position on whether same-sex marriages should be deemed constitutional, Lockyer told the justices it was a matter for the courts – not the mayor – to decide.
Don’t pop the cork just yet, though. This doesn’t mean the California Supremes will ultimately rule in favor of same sex marriages. They’re just letting the process run its course.
Regardless of the Friday order, the San Francisco-based court did not indicate whether it would decide the issue. The seven justices usually are reluctant to decide cases until they work their way up through the lower courts, which this case has not.
But between San Francisco, New Mexico, and New Platz, New York, the news so far is good.
Suck on it, George.
Tehe. Terrance said “suck on it.” =D