How to update wedding traditions to a contemporary zeitgeist. Eloping, theme weddings, alternative ceremonies & vows, indie styles, vegan & organic. See also agreenbride.com

Mary is a Humanist Chaplain and a Marriage Officiant (equiv. to a Justice of the Peace) in New York City and Toronto, Ontario. Write to us at any time: info@weddingsofnewyork.com or info@weddingsoftoronto.com

Thursday

NY Recognizes Gay marriages from other countries and states

International Herald Tribune Article It's quite interesting to read international press articles on this welcome news. Here's the Wikipedia article with a chart of countries, and statutes state x state.

UPDATE:
Court upholds NY Governor's Recognition of Out Of State Gay Marriages.
UPDATE:
Lawsuit against recogizing out of state same-sex marriages dismissed.

California's top court overturns gay marriage ban

AP California Supreme Court overturns voter-approved gay marriage ban, though issue isn't settled. In a monumental victory for the gay rights movement, the California Supreme Court overturned a voter-approved ban on gay marriage Thursday in a ruling that would allow same-sex couples in the nation's biggest state to tie the knot. Domestic partnerships are not a good enough substitute for marriage, the justices ruled 4-3.

The city of San Francisco, two dozen gay and lesbian couples and gay rights groups sued in March 2004 after the court halted the month-long wedding march that took place when Mayor Gavin Newsom opened the doors of City Hall to same-sex marriages.

"Today the California Supreme Court took a giant leap to ensure that everybody — not just in the state of California, but throughout the country — will have equal treatment under the law," said City Attorney Dennis Herrera, who argued the case for San Francisco.

The challenge for gay rights advocates, however, is not over. A coalition of religious and social conservative groups is attempting to put a measure on the November ballot that would enshrine laws banning gay marriage in the state constitution...

[Note: Mary is a wedding officiant in Toronto, ON, where same sex weddings are, of course, legal. We also offer same sex commitment services in New York]