California Gay
Marriages on Track to Begin June 17

Same-sex marriages in California can begin this month, declared the state's supreme court on Wednesday.

In a 4-3 vote, the justices rejected a request by conservative groups to stay their May 15 ruling legalizing same-sex marriages until voters have a chance to vote on their legality in the November election, reported the Los Angeles Times. With the court's refusal to stay its ruling, California counties can begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples beginning June 17.

An initiative that would amend the state constitution to ban same-sex marriage -- and nullify the court's decision -- has qualified for the November ballot, California's secretary of state announced Monday. (The Advocate)