| SEATTLE — As midnight chimed, public school elementary teachers Sarah and Emily Cofer tied the knot at a joyful mass wedding to mark the first day that same-sex couples can marry in Washington state. "We're so proud to live in this state that recognizes love and commitment," said Sarah, 31, after she and Emily, 32, uttered the words "I will" before the aptly-named judge Mary Yu at Seattle's King County Courthouse. Washington, Maine and Maryland became the first U.S. states to extend marriage rights to same-sex couples by a popular vote in November, in a leap forward for gay rights. Washington's law went into effect on Thursday, when hundreds of eager couples lined up to apply for marriage licenses. The first legal same-sex weddings began on Sunday after a three-day waiting period required of all marriages expired.
The Cofers' union was the state's first same-sex wedding. Cameras clicked, observers clapped and their nine-month old daughter Carter -- born to one of the pair and adopted by the other -- cried. The couple said they would head home and put Carter to bed. They were followed by 11 other couples due to take their vows at 30-minute intervals through the night in Yu's 9th-floor courtroom decorated with poinsettia. Boxes of tissues were on hand for tearful guests. On gay marriage, Supreme Court could rule narrowly -- or issue sweeping decision "I'm proud to be a witness to an extraordinary event in our history," said Yu. The marathon nuptials were "an opportunity to recognize that marriage and love and family are good", she said. Preparing for their own night-time ceremony at the courthouse in downtown Seattle, lawyer Brendon Taga and banker Jesse Page, both dressed in dark suits, chatted with reporters. "It's a culmination of our relationship. We're very fortunate to be living in this state," said Taga, 33. Opinion shift A Pew Research Center survey from October found 49 percent of Americans favored allowing gay marriage, with 40 percent opposed. Back in May, President Barack Obama became the first U.S. president to say same-sex couples should be able to wed. US Supreme Court to take up same-sex marriage issue As gays and lesbians readied for their nuptials in Washington state, the U.S. Supreme Court stepped into the fray over gay marriage on Friday by agreeing to review two challenges to federal and state laws that define marriage as between a man and a woman. The high court agreed to review a federal law that denies married same-sex couples federal benefits that heterosexual couples receive, such as in taxes and immigration. It also took on a challenge to California's voter-approved gay marriage ban. Mormon church website: 'Sexuality is not a choice' For same-sex couples now swapping vows in Washington state, the path to legalization has been a rocky one. The state's Democratic-controlled legislature passed a bill to legalize gay marriage in February, and Democratic Governor Christine Gregoire signed it swiftly into law. But opponents gathered enough signatures to temporarily block the measure from taking effect and force the issue onto the state ballot. Voters, by 54 percent to 46 percent, ultimately approved gay marriage at the polls in November. (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2012. Click For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp  |
12/09/2012
Same-sex couples wed in Washington for first time
U.S. doctor rescued from Taliban
Kabul, Afghanistan (CNN) -- An American doctor abducted while on his way to a small health clinic outside the Afghan capital city of Kabul was rescued by coalition forces, the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force said Sunday. There were conflicting reports about who was behind the kidnapping of Dr. Dilip Joseph. ISAF said it was Taliban insurgents, while two local Afghan officials told CNN it was smugglers. Joseph and an Afghan doctor were kidnapped on Wednesday as they made their way to a small health clinic in the village of Jegdalek in the Sarobi district, just outside Kabul, tribal leader Malik Samad and district chief Muhammad Haqbeen told CNN. A driver and an engineer who were working with the doctors have been arrested on suspicion of having contact with the smugglers, the two men said. The family of the Afghan doctor paid $12,000 to the smugglers who later released him, Haqbeen and Samad said. Joseph was freed Saturday during an operation in Laghman province, the two men said. ISAF did not provide details about the rescue operation other than to say Joseph was believed to be in imminent danger of injury or death. Gen. John Allen, commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan, ordered the mission. "Today's mission exemplifies our unwavering commitment to defeating the Taliban," Allen said in a statement. "I'm proud of the American and Afghan forces that planned, rehearsed and successfully conducted this operation. Thanks to them, Dr. Joseph will soon be rejoining his family and loved ones." Further information on Joseph, including his hometown, was not immediately available.  |
12/08/2012
Chavez: My cancer cells are malignant
(CNN) -- Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, who had surgery in 2011 to remove a cancerous tumor, announced late Saturday that he will undergo a new operation after doctors recently detected malignant cells. Just this week, the president returned from Cuba after receiving medical treatment. Chavez said he will return there Sunday and that the expected operation will occur in coming days. Chavez has repeatedly spoken publicly about his cancer battle, but has never specified what type he has. The president made the announcement during a televised address from the presidential palace. |
Cowboys' LB Brown killed in car crash; teammate charged
Pacquiao, Marquez desperate for WCSN: While Manny Pacquiao tries to prove his tank isn't nearly empty, Juan Manuel Marquez pursues evasive win over his fiercest rival in their fourth meeting. |
American rescued from Taliban, coalition says
| By The Associated Press KABUL, Afghanistan -- An American citizen abducted by the Taliban five days ago was rescued Sunday in eastern Afghanistan, the U.S.-led military coalition said. Dr. Dilip Joseph was captured by Taliban insurgents Wednesday outside the Afghan capital, in the Sarobi district of Kabul province, a statement by the coalition said. He was rescued in an early morning operation ordered after intelligence showed that the doctor was in imminent danger of injury or possible death, according to a statement. Gen. John Allen, the top commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan, said American and Afghan forces planned, rehearsed and successfully conducted the operation. "Thanks to them, Dr. Joseph will soon be rejoining his family and loved ones," Allen said. The statement did not say where Joseph is from, or whether he was harmed in captivity. No other details of the rescue operation were immediately available.  / More than ten years after the beginning of the war, Afghanistan faces external pressure to reform as well as ongoing internal conflicts. More world stories from NBC News:
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