Calif. clerk plans certificates for gays

WOODLAND, Calif., Feb. 3 (UPI) -- A clerk-recorder in one California county plans to distribute "certificates of inequality" to gay couples on Valentine's Day.

Freddie Oakley of Yolo County told the Sacramento Bee she designed the certificates herself. She said she believes she should be able to give gay couples marriage licenses.

"We don't discriminate against people on the basis of age, or health, or disability, or race, or ethnicity, or religion, but we do on the basis of gender in this matter," she said. "I feel it's inappropriate."

For many gay couples, Feb. 14 is now "Freedom to Marry" day, when they come to county clerk's offices to dramatize their inability to have legal unions. Only one state, Massachusetts, recognizes gay marriage, while a few have civil partnership laws.

Supporters of a ban on gay marriage said Oakley as a public official is obliged to uphold California's laws.

"The people pay government officials to implement the law and to faithfully execute the law ... not to ridicule the law and perform stunts that advocate the overthrow of marriage," said Randy Thomasson, president of Campaign for Children and Families.