legal filing thursday

The attorneys general of 10 states are urging the California supreme court to delay finalizing its ruling to legalize same-sex marriage. The attorneys general say in court documents filed Thursday that they have an interest in the case because they would have to determine if their states would recognize the marriage of gay residents who wed in California.

Emotions ran high Thursday when the California supreme court heard oral arguments on whether to uphold the state's voter-passed initiative Proposition 8.

Episcopal Church leaders plan to take legal action for the return of property held by 11 parishes that broke away because of the church's tolerance of gay clergy and relationships.

Connecticut's decision to legalize same-sex civil unions is the basis for a lawsuit that seeks to force the state to allow full marriage rights for gay couples.

Religious and social conservatives vowed Thursday to fight Gov. David Paterson's directive requiring state agencies to recognize gay marriages performed legally elsewhere, saying it flouts traditional values and is a big step toward legalizing same-sex unions in New York. ''The definition of marriage predates recorded history,'' said New York State Catholic Conference executive director Richard E. Barnes. ''No single politician or court or legislature should attempt to redefine the very building block of our society in a way that alters its entire meaning and purpose.''

This less progressive — and less controversial — version is expected to easily pass in the lower house of Parliament.