Gay Marriage Gives Pause to Calif. Faithful

They ask for transfer on religious grounds

(NEWSER) - Some employees of the San Diego County clerk's office are being shuffled to other duties because they object to same-sex marriage, the Los Angeles Times reports. Fourteen workers initially posed "sincerely held religious objections," but sources said many had since changed their minds. Marriage-license business has approximately doubled since a ban ended Monday afternoon. More»

Calif. ruling leaves Takei free to marry partner of 21 years

(NEWSER) - Less than a week after California lifted its ban on gay marriage, Star Trek actor George Takei plans to beam up to the altar and marry his longtime partner Brad Altman, BBC reports. After 21 years together, the couple is suddenly facing the “delicious dilemma” of deciding where to marry, the 71-year-old actor wrote on his website. More»

Conservative cast vote for 'doing the right thing'

(NEWSER) - Long characterized as cautious, California’s Chief Justice Ronald George shocked his peers when he joined the majority to overturn the state’s ban on same-sex marriage. “I think there are times when doing the right thing means not playing it safe,” the moderate Republican said, calling the case the most difficult one of his 17 years on the court. More»

Gov't could create civil unions, while marriage would be religious

(NEWSER) - Confirmations, bar mitzvahs—religious institutions mark a number of rites of passage, but marriage is the only one the government has mucked with. As the heated debate over gay marriage continues, two professors ask: Why not take the government out of the equation? Officially, any couple could have a civil union, and "marriage" would be left up to one’s place of worship, Time reports in a look at the idea. More»

(NEWSER) - Protesters around California are gearing up for tomorrow's state Supreme Court session on the constitutionality of Proposition 8, the voter referendum that banned gay marriage, the Los Angeles Times reports. The decision isn’t due for 3 months, but the opinion is already written, and the court's stand may be revealed in the judges' responses to oral arguments, which will be televised. More»