The dispute over whether the California Supreme Court should put its ruling legalizing same-sex marriages on hold until voters consider the issue in November was joined Friday by attorneys general from 10 states, who say a postponement might save them from legal headaches over whether to recognize California marriages.

In papers filed with the court, the attorneys general -- all Republicans -- said that if the ruling is implemented as scheduled June 17, it would subject their states to a profusion of lawsuits involving gay and lesbian residents traveling to California to get married.

Each of the states has a law barring recognition of same-sex marriages performed elsewhere. However, unlike Massachusetts -- the only other state to legalize same-sex marriages -- California allows residents of other states to wed here even if the marriage would not be permitted in their home state.

"An inevitable result of such 'marriage tourism' will be a steep increase in litigation" over whether the couple's home state must recognize their marriage, said Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff, author of the brief.

posted by Imapp Staff at 2:14 PM | link

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