Q: When will same-sex couples be able to marry?
A: The California Supreme Court’s decision to allow gay marriage will take effect 30 days after it was issued. Los Angeles County and San Francisco officials are reviewing the decision but have not said when they will begin issuing licenses to gay couples.
Q: How is California’s law different from the one in Massachusetts, the only state that now permits same-sex marriage?
A: In Massachusetts, marriage licenses are not granted to residents of states that prohibit same-sex marriages. Massachusetts and New York are expected to recognize California marriages.
Q: Will the federal government recognize a California same-sex marriage?
A: The federal government does not recognize gay marriage. This means that married couples of the same sex cannot file joint federal income tax returns, nor receive federal spousal benefits. A U.S. citizen who marries a foreigner of the same sex in California will not be allowed to sponsor the spouse to immigrate here.
Q: In 2004, the California Supreme Court voided about 4,000 same-sex marriage licenses granted in San Francisco. Are those marriages now recognized by the state?
A: No. The court did not address that issue.
Q: What happens to domestic partnerships?
A: They still exist under California law.
Q: Can this decision be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court?
A: No. The decision rests on the provisions of the California Constitution.
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Q. Will out-of- state couples be allowed to marry in California?
A. Yes, but their home states may not recognize the marriages.
(News section, Page 1)
