Pope restates gay marriage ban after California vote

Reuters reports Benedict made no mention of the California decision in his speech to family groups from throughout Europe, but stressed the Church's position several times.

CNS reports California Chief Justice George also noted that "in contrast to earlier times, our state now recognizes that an individual's capacity to establish a loving and long-term committed relationship with another person and responsibly to care for and raise children does not depend upon the individual's sexual orientation..."

CNS reports In the decision, the California court sees children primarily through the eyes of same-sex couples who want to secure custody and control of children. The court makes emphatically clear that it deems this to be a right of same-sex couples that is equal to--and identical to--the right of married mothers and fathers to adopt or conceive and raise their own children.

The NY Times reports Mr. McCain supports marriage “between a man and a woman” and opposes any legal recognition of a same-sex relationship. Mr. Obama and Senator Clinton are more explicit in their support of civil unions, but both campaigns were quick to restate their views that the candidates believe the act of marriage should be between a man and a woman, a formulation that seems to have succeeded in taking the sting out of the issue.

One News Now reports Randy Thomasson is a pro-family advocate who was one of the parties in the consolidated lawsuit ruled on Thursday by California's Supreme Court. He calls the justices' decision overturning a ban on same-sex "marriage" and allowing licensing for homosexual marriages "arrogant judicial activism."

AP reports The California Supreme Court ruling legalizing gay marriage will not be the last word. California voters will almost certainly hold a referendum on a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage in November, and for the first time anywhere in the U.S., the vote will have a direct and immediate effect on gay couples waiting to tie the knot.