Charges over gay marriages against mayor dropped
By MICHAEL HILL
The Associated Press


ALBANY, N.Y. -- A town judge on Thursday dismissed criminal charges against New Paltz Mayor Jason West for marrying gay couples.

Barring an appeal, the ruling spares West the possibility of fines or jail time for marrying more than two dozen same-sex couples on Feb. 27, drawing the Hudson Valley village of New Paltz into the growing national debate on same-sex unions.

However, West remains permanently barred from marrying same-sex couples under an order issued earlier this week by a separate judge hearing a civil case against the 27-year-old mayor.

West and his lawyer characterized Thursday's decision from New Paltz Town Court Justice Jonathan Katz as a major victory for gay rights. Attorney E. Joshua Rosenkranz said it was the first time a court New York has ruled that same-sex couples have the same rights as heterosexual couples.

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Switzerland approves same-sex unions

Bern, Switzerland, Jun. 10 (UPI) -- Swiss parliament has passed a law to allow civil unions for same-sex couples.
The law makes same-sex partners legal next of kin, but does not allow for adoption or marriage, Swiss news service Swissinfo reports.

A minor political party, the Federal Democratic Union has announced plans to start a referendum against the law, which it considers an affront to mainstream values.

Gay rights groups welcomed the law as a step in the right direction.