US state recognises gay marriages

There were jubilant scenes in the city of Cambridge, which began issuing licences to gay and lesbian partners from midnight (0400 GMT).

Friday saw the US Supreme Court reject a last-ditch attempt by conservative groups to stop same-sex marriages from becoming legal in the state.

The issue has divided opinion and politicians across the US.


In Cambridge, gay and lesbian couples queued for marriage licences outside the city hall - which opened as the law came into force.

Hot issue

The first people to apply were Marcia Hams and her partner of 27 years, Susan Shepherd.

"I'm shaking so much," Ms Hams said as she filled out the paperwork. "I could collapse at this point."

Officials are now distributing the licences and the first weddings are expected later on Monday.

Towns and cities across Massachusetts are preparing to process large numbers of applications from gay couples.

The Supreme Court ruling upheld a decision by the state's highest court.

It said that denying marriage licenses to same-sex couples violated anti-discrimination laws.

The Massachusetts ruling has fuelled heated debate across the country - and the controversy has been particularly intense in an election year.

President George W Bush has called for an amendment to the US Constitution that would define marriage as a union between a man and a woman.

His rival John Kerry - who is a Massachusetts senator - is also opposed to same-sex marriages, but favours a more limited form of legal recognition.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/3719905.stm