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SAN FRANCISCO/WEST HOLLYWOOD-Hundreds of gay and lesbian couples rushed to wed on Tuesday on the first full day that same-sex marriages were allowed across California, filling city halls with cheers-and politics.Gay marriage supporters see the move by the most populous U.S. state to allow same-sex weddings as a fundamental change long overdue, while opponents brand it a moral tragedy. Both political sides consider California a trend setter, for better or worse, making its move in an election year. But looming over the flurry of weddings is the possibility that they could come to a sudden halt if a November ballot initiative banning same-sex marriage passes in the state.U.S. Republican presidential candidate John McCain and Democratic rival Barack Obama have largely avoided the issue, finding common ground in supporting states taking the lead on the gay marriage. President George W. Bush firmly supports a U.S. constitutional amendment banning gay marriage."Part of the reason I wanted to come today was to be a number, to be counted," said Gretchen Kaufman in Oakland, California, after getting a license for a same-sex marriage.Across the bay in San Francisco, conservatively dressed same-sex couples marched triumphantly into the ornate City Hall, some for the second time.The city known for its large gay population married same-sex couples for a "Winter of Love" in 2004. A court threw out those unions but a larger legal battle led last month to the state Supreme Court overturning a law defining marriage as among a man and a woman.California is the second state after Massachusetts to allow same-sex marriages and the first to offer to marry couples from any state. Officials here expect an economic boost from the new gay wedding tourism industry.To read more go to:
As in the days of Noah...
