San Jose Sued For Recognizing Gay Marriages
by Mary Ellen Peterson
365Gay.com Newscenter

(San Francisco, California)  A conservative group at the forefront of legal challenges to same-sex marriage across the country is suing the mayor and the city council of San Jose, California, over the decision to provide benefits to the married partners of city workers.

The Arizona-based Alliance Defense Fund filed the suit Thursday on behalf of the Values Advocacy Council of San Jose and the Proposition 22 Legal Defense Fund claiming the benefits violate Proposition 22 which defines marriage as between a man and a woman.

In March San Jose became the first city in California to recognize same-sex marriages performed in San Francisco and outside the state, including those performed in Canada.  It only applies to city workers and covers benefits such as pensions and health care.

The motion which passed on an 8 - 1 vote was drafted by San Jose Mayor Ron Gonzales and openly gay council member Ken Yeager.