8/12/2004: The California State Supreme Court has ruled that Mayor Newsom lacked the authority to issue the more than 3900 same-sex marriage licenses that San Francisco approved in February and March of this year, and also that the marriages are void. Statement from Equality California, Lambda Legal, National Center for Lesbian Rights, and ACLU of Northern California. Over 3900 same-sex couples were married at SF City Hall earlier this year. However, the court did not rule on the issue of whether or not same-sex marriages should be legal. Protests were held that evening in cities all over the state. Photos: Fresno | San Francisco: 1 | 2 | Santa Cruz | Audio from Santa Cruz List of cities in which protests were held. Equality California asked for same-sex couples to go to their local county clerk's office to request marriage licenses on Friday, August 13, 2004. They asked that when the couples were turned down, they turn in a Certificate of Engagement to express their commitment to getting married. For a list of action locations, see Marriage Equality California's website

8/10/2004: The California Supreme Court has confirmed that it will release its opinion on SF Mayor Newsom's authority to issue marriage licenses this Thursday. That day's ruling will not address the legality of gay marriage in the state. That issue is still working its way through the lower courts and is expected to reach the high court later this year. The question of whether gay marriage could be legal in the state is still in the lower courts, and it is expected that the California Supreme Court will consider the issue later this year.
On May 25th, the California Supreme Court heard oral arguments about whether or not the city of San Francisco had the right to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. There will be a rally outside the building during the time of the hearing. After two hours of testimony, the court will have up to 90 days to issue its decision. The battle for same-gender marriage in California is also being fought at the legislative level: Equality California's AB 1967, the Marriage License Non-Discrimination Act, which is under the sponsorship of San Francisco Assemblyman Mark Leno. The bill passed the Judiciary Committee, headed for the Assembly Appropriations Committee. The legislators who believed that the bill would not advance further this year were correct- in spite of lobbying efforts by California clergy and others, the bill was put aside until December and the next legislative session.
The internationally-sponsored National Marriage Equality Express will ride from San Francisco to Washington, DC from October 4-11, 2004.