9:26am UK, Wednesday February 18, 2004

Gay couples are racing to be married in San Francisco after judges refused to immediately outlaw the practice.

180 gay lesbians get married wedding

Judges refuse to ban same-sex marriages

Two judges outraged conservatives by refusing to issue immediate injunctions stopping Mayor Gavin Newsom from issuing marriage certificates to same-sex couples.

More than 2,500 gay couples have been wed since last Thursday in America's first officially sanctioned same-sex marriage ceremonies.

The ceremonies are part of Mayor Newsom's campaign to challenge state laws that limit the definition of marriage being between a man and a woman.

Although same-sex marriages could still be banned by as soon as Friday, Mayor Newsom hailed the most recent court decisions as a victory for the city.

He also vowed to push ahead with issuing marriage certificates to same-sex couples until a court firmly banned the practice.

"While some may believe that separate and unequal institutions are acceptable, we will oppose intolerance and discrimination every step of the way," he said.

"San Francisco is a city of tolerance and mutual respect and we will accept nothing less than full civil rights for all our residents."

However, conservative groups expressed outrage at what they said amounted to judges turning a blind eye to law-breaking.

"Basically two judges today refused to block these unlawful marriages," Randy Thomasson from the Campaign for California Families said.

"What is going on? Do we have a law in this state or don't we?

"Every day judges across the street (in the city hall where same-sex marriages are being carried out) are witnessing the laws being violated."