The Change Mariner

Gay Nuptials for Hundreds in San Francisco

A San Francisco judge Friday refused to stop the city's unprecedented gay marriage spree, prompting elated officials to declare they will keep City Hall open through the three-day weekend so more same-sex couples can tie the knot.

Superior Court Judge James L. Warren made his decision on procedural grounds, turning down a request by opponents of gay marriage to consider the matter on an emergency basis. The city, which had married at least 500 same-sex couples since Thursday, will be back in court Tuesday for a hearing on the merits of two lawsuits against its go-it-alone approach.

Taking advantage of the window of opportunity, dozens of couples streamed in from as far away as Southern California to be married under the ornate rotunda -- even as state officials said Friday they would refuse to record the marriages. The weddings, combined with the recent pro-gay court ruling in Massachusetts, set gay marriage up as a possible hot-button issue in the November elections.