Same-sex marriage opponents seek delay

SAN FRANCISCO, May 23 (UPI) -- Opponents asked the California Supreme Court to hold off until November the implementation of its decision allowing same-sex marriages.

Organizations filed their request Thursday, asking for the delay until after the November election when voters will consider a proposed constitutional amendment that would restrict marriage to opposite-sex couples, the San Francisco Chronicle reported Friday.

The California Supreme Court knocked down the state's ban on same-sex marriage May 15, saying the city and county of San Francisco may issue marriage licenses to gay couples.

"Permitting this decision to take effect immediately -- in the light of the realistic possibility that the people of California might amend their constitution to reaffirm marriage as the union of one man and one woman -- risks legal havoc and uncertainty of immeasurable magnitude," court papers said.

The proposed ban on gay marriages hasn't been officially listed on the November ballot but supporters say they have the necessary number of signatures.

County clerks said they thought gay unions could begin as soon as June 16, the newspaper said.

A spokesman for San Francisco City Attorney Dennis Herrera said the office would oppose any delay in issuing marriage certificates to same-sex couples. City lawyers anticipate filing a legal response next week.