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Calif. Gay Marriages Surge Past Mass.

But upcoming vote may change the rules

By Matt Cantor, Newser Staff

Posted Oct 7, 2008 8:20 AM CDT

(Newser) – Gay marriage has been legal in California for just 3 months, and already some 11,000 same-sex couples have tied the knot—more than in Massachusetts in 4 years, a UCLA study found. But things may change next month when Californians vote on whether to amend the state constitution to define marriage as between a man and a woman, the Los Angeles Times reports.

“People have waited for so long to be able to do this. I'm sure that is the reason for the big response,” said a rep for a Los Angeles gay and lesbian group. Meanwhile, new marriage forms let couples call themselves “bride” and “groom” if they choose; after gay marriage was legalized, “Party A” and “Party B” had been the only options.

Proposition 8 supporter Rick Yorgason, right, asks voter Kevin Patel, left, about his thoughts on gay marriage during a poll of voters in Elk Grove, Calif., on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2008. (AP Photo/Steve Yeater)

A protester against same-sex marriage is seen across from the Sacramento County Clerk/Recorders office where dozens of gay and lesbian couples were waiting to obtain marriage licenses in Sacramento. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

Adrian Ochoa, 18, left, and Orval Miller, 26, right, exchange vows during their wedding outside the Sacramento County Clerk/Recorder's office in Sacramento, Calif. on Tuesday, June 17, 2008. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

Pamela Brown, left, and her wife Shauna Brown are seen with the cake-toppers from their wedding cake, Monday, Aug. 4, 2008, in Berkeley, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

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Calif. Gay Marriages Surge Past Mass.

But upcoming vote may change the rules

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