New York Appeals Court Bars Mayor From Performing Same-Sex Marriages

A New York appeals court has upheld a decision Friday that bars a village mayor from performing same-sex marriages. The court said that New Paltz, New York mayor Jason West acted beyond his authority when he presided over two dozen same-sex marriages last year. The five judges unanimously agreed to uphold the lower-court ruling.  The mayor's lawyer is promising an appeal. West has maintained he was upholding the gay couples' constitutional rights to equal protection, and thus his oath of office, by allowing them to wed. Source. Cbsnews.com. For the complete story, please click here (last visited October 29, 2005, reo).