Battle over same-sex marriages reaches Seattle
Lawsuits filed; mayor supports unions
Monday, March 8, 2004 Posted: 1:44 PM EST (1844 GMT)



Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels plans to sign an executive order
recognizing marriages of gay employees.


Seattle (Washington)



SEATTLE, Washington (AP) -- Six same-sex couples filed a lawsuit
Monday seeking the right to get married after they were refused
marriage licenses by a sympathetic public official, as the mayor
ordered the city to recognize the marriages of gay city employees who
tie the knot elsewhere.

The six couples applied for marriage licenses at the King County
Administration Building but were rejected because of a state law that
defines marriage as the union of one man and one woman.

County Administrator Ron Sims said he supported the couples' efforts,
but had no choice but to uphold the law.







This signature is now the ultimate power in the universe