Opponents trying to halt S.F. gay marriage

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 13 (UPI) -- A marriage-license rush was on in San Francisco Friday as homosexual couples rushed to get hitched before opponents get a chance to halt the ceremonies.

The San Francisco Chronicle said more than 90 such couples were married in a flurry of nuptials performed by city officials at City Hall.

The marriages began Thursday after Mayor Gavin Newsome declared banning homosexual marriages violated state constitutional equal-protection provisions.

Two conservative organizations went to Superior Court Friday seeking a court order halting the marriages, which run contrary to state law.

The Chronicle said court rules require plaintiffs to wait 24 hours before receiving a stay, which means that because Monday is a holiday, the courts are unlikely to act until next Tuesday.