After Gay Ruling, Calif. Scrambles to Fix Paperwork

'Party A,' 'Party B,' not romantic enough for lovers

(NEWSER) - A heterosexual California couple is suing the state to put the words “bride” and “groom” on their marriage license, the Sacramento Bee reports. Rachel Bird and Gideon Codding refused to sign their marriage document because they dislike the gender-neutral “Party A” and “Party B” used on forms since gay marriage became legal in California. They are suing the state for violating their rights. More»

(NEWSER) - One of California's biggest and most influential gay rights groups says it will delay a ballot push to overcome the state's ban on same-sex marriage until 2012, the Los Angeles Times reports. Equality California, which led the failed effort to defeat Prop 8 in November, says there is too little time to raise the millions of dollars necessary for a 2010 offensive. More»

Opponents of marriage ban sad but not surprised

(NEWSER) - Supporters of same-sex marriage were disappointed but not surprised by the California Supreme Court’s decision today to uphold Proposition 8, the San Francisco Chronicle reports, as a crowd that had gathered at the state courthouse moved through city streets, blocking traffic and prompting arrest. “This is a serious blow on religious freedom, and it opens the door for discrimination against any minority,” said one of the case’s plaintiffs. More»

(NEWSER) - Gay-marriage proponents in California are taking a page—and some staff—from the Obama campaign in an attempt to swing conservative votes, the Wall Street Journal reports. Many believe Proposition 8 passed because there was little outreach to districts that voted for the ban. “They would fly over from San Francisco once or twice and throw a few leaflets down,” said a lesbian resident of Fresno, in the conservative Central Valley. More»

Court weighs constitutionality of ballot initiative, effect on couples married before the ban

(AP) - California Supreme Court justices heard arguments today on lawsuits seeking to overturn the state's voter-approved ban on same-sex marriage as thousands demonstrated outside the San Francisco courthouse. Gay-rights advocates are urging the court to overturn Proposition 8 on the grounds it was put before voters improperly, or at least prematurely. The measure's sponsors argue that it would be a miscarriage of justice for the court to overturn the results of a fair election. More»