California approves gay marriage but Schwarzenegger may veto bill

GAY rights supporters cheered loudly from the gallery as California lawmakers became the first in the US to approve a bill allowing same-sex marriages. But their celebration may be short-lived.

The legislation could be vetoed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who has expressed an acceptance of gay marriages but said it’s an issue that should be decided by voters or the courts.

“He will uphold whatever the court decides,” spokesperson Margita Thompson said on Tuesday after the state Assembly approved the same-sex marriage measure, 41-35. The Senate had approved it last week.