Countries Worldwide Address Gay Marriage
By TOBY STERLING
Associated Press Writer
March 4, 2004, 1:57 PM EST
AMSTERDAM, Netherlands -- Three years after Amsterdam's mayor officiated at the Netherlands' first gay wedding, the gay marriage rate is falling, the first divorces are being registered and the issue has disappeared from the political agenda.

While the United States is engaged in debate on a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage, Canadians are discussing a federal law to legalize it and many European countries are adopting civil unions for gay couples.

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Activists Call for Legalized Gay Marriage in Chicago

Chicago-area gay activists were calling for a demonstration at noon Thursday outside the marriage license bureau on the lower level of the County Building.
Outside the County Building at about 10:50 a.m. Thursday, several people carried signs with messages against gay marriage and homosexual activity. One man stood on a raised platform and spoke religious messages on a hand-held microphone.