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Calif. Court Voids S.F. Same-Sex Marriages, By David Kravets, The Associated Press - August 12, 2004, SAN FRANCISCO - The California Supreme Court on Thursday voided the nearly 4,000 same-sex marriages sanctioned in San Francisco this year and ruled unanimously that the mayor overstepped his authority by issuing marriage licenses to gay and lesbian couples. The court said the city violated the law when it issued the certificates, since both legislation and a voter-approved measure defined marriage as a union between a man and woman.

Seattle Judge Clears Way for Gay Marriage, By Melanthia Mitchell, The Associated Press - August 4, 2004, SEATTLE - Same-sex couples cannot be deprived of the right to legally marry in Washington state, a judge ruled Wednesday in a decision hailed as a powerful affirmation of equal rights for gay couples.

Missouri voters approve gay marriage ban; Governor ousted in hard-fought primary, The Associated Press, Aug. 4, 2004 - KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Missouri voters overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment Tuesday to ban gay marriage, the first such vote since the historic ruling in Massachusetts last year that legalized same-sex weddings there. Missouri's governor also was ousted in a primary battle.

GOP-led House takes a new shot at gay marriage; measure would strip U.S. courts of jurisdiction, The Associated Press, July 22, 2004 - WASHINGTON - The Republican-led House voted Thursday to prevent federal courts from ordering states to recognize gay marriages sanctioned by other states. The Marriage Protection Act was adopted by a 233-194 vote, buoyed by backing from the Bush administration.

Gay marriage ban fails to advance in Senate, By Tom Curry, National affairs writer - MSNBC, July 14, 2004 - WASHINGTON - Even as President Bush's push for a constitutional ban on gay marriage failed to advance in the Senate on Wednesday, Republicans in the House of Representatives and elsewhere vowed more moves to keep the election-year focus on the future of marriage. By a 50-48 vote, the Senate decided to shelve a constitutional amendment that would declare that marriage “shall consist only of the union of a man and a woman.” Sixty votes were needed to shut off debate and proceed to vote on the amendment.

Court victory for supporters of gay marriage in Oregon, KMTR-TV, July 09, 2004 - The State of Oregon may have to recognize thousands of same-sex marriage licenses issued this spring in Multnomah County. State recognition of the licenses would presumably entitle gay couples to the same state benefits accorded to heterosexual married couples -- from taxes to legal protections. A spokesman for Attorney General Hardy Myers says that the state may appeal the decision to the state Supreme Court.

Gay marriage opponents turn in record number of signatures, KMTR-TV, July 01, 2004 - The battle over gay marriage in Oregon shifted to the ballot Wednesday, when opponents of same-sex marriages triumphantly turned in the highest number of signatures ever submitted for an initiative measure in the state's history.

‘The Right to Choose’, Mayor Noël Mamere explains why he will perform France’s first gay marriage ceremony—and why he has received threats and a parcel of excrement in the mail, By Eric Pape, Newsweek, June 01, 2004 - Noël Mamere never expected the battle to be easy. When the mayor of the small town of Bègles, near Bordeaux, announced that he would preside over France’s first gay marriage on June 5, he promptly found himself alternately praised as a hero, denounced as a political opportunist—and threatened with banishment to hell.

Supreme Court Appears Inclined To Rule Against City - KNBC-TV, May 25, 2004 - The California Supreme Court appeared likely to conclude that San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom abused his powers by issuing 4,000 marriage licenses to gay couples earlier this year.

Gay Couples Say 'I Do' In Massachusetts - KNBC-TV, May 17, 2004 - Gay couples around Massachusetts are exchanging vows Monday, marking the first time a state has granted same-sex couples the right to marry.

Marriage amendment rejected in Kansas House - May 4 - The Kansas House rejected a proposed constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage Tuesday. Tuesday's 79-45 vote by which the Kansas House turned back a proposed constitutional amendment banning gay marriage is five short of the required two-thirds majority.

Britain moves toward endorsing civil unions; Broad support for legislation that gives rights to same-sex couples - Ashley Moore, Reporter, NBC News, April 22, 2004 - LONDON - With the issue of gay marriage still roiling the American political landscape, close ally Britain is quietly setting course for formal recognition for civil unions, following a path carved out by several other European Union countries.

Judge halts gay marriages in Oregon county; But ruling gives legal recognition to same-sex ceremonies - The Associated Press April 20, 2004 - PORTLAND, Ore. - A judge told Multnomah County to stop issuing same-sex marriage licenses Tuesday, but he handed gay and lesbian couples a historic victory by ordering Oregon to recognize the 3,000 licenses that had already been granted in the county, the first time a judge has recognized same-sex marriages anywhere in the nation.

Companies see sales boost from gay travel; Same-sex honeymoons create lucrative markets - The Associated Press, April 09, 2004. PHILADELPHIA - Companies that rent limousines, photograph weddings and help people plan their honeymoons have a new, potentially lucrative market: gay couples.

Calif. court halts S.F. gay marriages; No ruling on legality; case expected in May or June - The Associated Press, March 12, 2004. SAN FRANCISCO - The California Supreme Court ordered an immediate halt to same-sex marriages in San Francisco and said Thursday that it would hear a case in May or June on the legality of such ceremonies.

Mass. lawmakers vote to ban gay marriages; Preliminary approval to constitutional amendment backs civil unions - The Associated Press, March 11, 2004. BOSTON - Massachusetts lawmakers Thursday gave preliminary approval to a constitutional amendment that would ban gay marriage but allow civil unions.

Civil Unions for Gays Favored, Polls Show - MSNBC, March 10, 2004. The heated debate over gay marriage is strengthening public support for legalizing civil unions for same-sex couples, with a majority of Americans now in favor of such formal recognition, according to two polls released Wednesday.

N.J. AG says no to gay marriage; Orders halt to ceremonies - MSNBC March 9, 2004. ASBURY PARK, N.J. - The day after New Jersey’s first gay marriage was performed, the state attorney general Tuesday ordered city officials to stop issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples and performing gay marriages — or face criminal charges.

Gay marriage Q&A: Will Massachusetts approve ban this week? - MSNBC March 8, 2004. WASHINGTON - With Massachusetts legislators set to consider a state constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriages later this week, here is a guide to the current controversy.

Hate Nation - Newsweek, March 1, 2004. The culture wars are back on, with a vengeance. A picture in The New York Times on Sunday did more than just capture the gay marriage debate: In the photo, two newly married lesbian women are kissing while all around them, homophobes, bigots, haters and distorters of Christ's message of love taunt them with flame-covered signs reading, "Prepare to meet thy God!"

Calif. Supreme Court Refuses To Stop Gay Marriages - KNBC-TV February 29, 2004 - The California Supreme Court Sunday refused to step in and order San Francisco to stop performing gay marriages.

Californians Oppose Marriage Amendment - KNSD-TV February 26, 2004 - By a relatively narrow margin, Californians remain opposed to same-sex marriages but are more solidly against a constitutional amendment banning the weddings, a new poll showed.

An Unusual Love Story - Newsweek, February 23, 2004. Penguins accept same-sex commitments. Why do some people have so much trouble with the idea?

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