California justices refuse to postpone gay unions

SAN FRANCISCO — The California Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected petitions to delay its historic same-sex-marriage decision, clearing the way for gay couples to marry this month.

The court's action on the case — which makes it possible for same-sex unions to begin June 17 — was unusually quick.

Most appeals, even unsuccessful ones, trigger a 30- to 60-day delay in the effective date of a ruling. Acting in closed session, the court voted 4-3 to reject petitions by Christian groups that it reconsider its May 15 ruling.

The court also refused to delay the effective date of the decision until after the November election, when voters will consider a constitutional amendment to reinstate the ban on same-sex marriage.

The court's action means the marriage ruling becomes effective at 5 p.m. Monday, June 16. Counties and cities are expected to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples the next day.

Voting against delaying the effective date of the May 15 ruling were Chief Justice Ronald George and Justices Joyce Kennard, Kathryn Mickle Werdegar and Carlos Moreno, the same four who joined the ruling to expand constitutional protections for gays and permit them to wed.

Voting to reconsider the decision were Justices Marvin Baxter, Ming Chin and Carol Corrigan, who dissented in the marriage ruling.

Christian groups backing the November measure to reinstate the marriage ban warned that gays who marry before then may have their marriages nullified if it passes.

Legal analysts, however, think the marriages would remain intact.