Court rules against California ban on gay marriage

SAN FRANCISCO - A California Superior Court judge has ruled that the state's ban on gay marriage is unconstitutional.

The ruling stemmed from litigation over San Francisco's decision last year to allow gay marriage. Those weddings were ruled invalid by the California Supreme Court, but the top court asked a lower court to consider the broader issue.

"We're gratified by today's ruling," said San Francisco City Attorney Dennis Herrera. He added it was an important step toward establishing equal rights for gays in California.

The San Francisco same-sex marriages sparked a heated national debate. Voters in 11 states have backed measures against gay marriage and 21 states are considering changes to their constitutions to ban it.

California voters have in the past defined marriage as a union between a man and a woman. The issue is expected to move eventually to the California Supreme Court.

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom challenged the state's ban on gay marriage a year ago by issuing more than 4,000 gay marriage licenses.

- REUTERS