Same sex marriages annulled

CALIFORNIA’S Supreme Court annulled more than 4,000 gay marriages in San Francisco yesterday, finding the city acted improperly in granting licences earlier this year in defiance of state law.

The mayor of the liberal city ignited a passionate nationwide debate in February by allowing 4,037 same-sex couples to wed over a four-week period before the California high court halted them as it reviewed the city’s actions.

A California law backed by a voter referendum defines marriage as a union of man and women, and polls show most Californians continue to oppose gay marriage.

“We agree with petitioners that local officials in San Francisco exceeded their authority by taking official action in violation of applicable statutory provisions,” the court wrote.