SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- The first federal trial in the United States on same-sex couples' right to marry opened Monday in a federal courtroom in San Francisco, which will decide whether the U.S. Constitution prohibits states from banning same-sex marriage.

Same-sex couples Paul Katami (L), Jeff Zarillo (2nd L), and Kris Perry (2nd R) and Sandy Stier pose for photographs before the start of their trial in San Francisco, California January 11, 2010. California's ban on same-sex marriage goes to trial on Monday in a federal case that plaintiffs hope to take all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court and overturn bans throughout the nation.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    The case was brought by two same-sex couples who sued the U.S. state of California, after they were denied the right to marry because of Proposition 8, a California constitutional amendment approved by voters in November 2008 that bans same-sex marriage.

    In Monday's non-jury trial, lawyers representing both sides as well as the same-sex couple plaintiffs testified before Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker.

    The trial is expected to last two to three weeks and is likely to be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, according to media reports.

Same-sex couple Elizabeth Chase (L) and Kate Baldridge stand outside the federal courthouse in San Francisco, California January 11, 2010.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

Mexico City approves gay marriage

Gay rights activist cheer after a session at the city's assembly in Mexico City December 21, 2009. Mexico City's assembly voted to extend gay couples full marriage rights on Monday in a landmark law that is the first of its kind in Latin America, a traditionally macho and Catholic region. The bill takes a 2006 law allowing civil unions by allowing gay couples to access family social security benefits and apply for joint credits as if they were a straight couple.(Xinhua/AFP Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    BEIJING, Dec. 22 (Xinhuanet) -- Lawmakers in Mexico City have legalised gay marriage, the first such instance in Latin America. City legislators passed the bill 39-20, with five abstentions. The bill is now widely expected to be signed into law by the city's mayor. Full story

Gay marriage bans result in health disparities

    BEIJING, Nov. 11 (Xinhuanet) -- Gay marriage bans have resulted in health disparities and should be overturned, argued the American Medical Association (AMA) as quoted by media reports Wednesday.

    On the other hand, improving health disparities "in the long run will certainly help efforts to win marriage equality," said Rea Carey, executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, a Washington-based advocacy group. Full story

Delegates of Church of Sweden meeting allow same sex marriages in churches

 

Delegates vote in favour of allowing same sex marriages in churches at the annual Church of Sweden meeting in Uppsala October 22, 2009. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    Among a slew of bills that the Republican governor signed into law late Sunday, one of the most controversial might be a bill proclaiming gay rights activist Harvey Milk's May 22 birthday as a day of recognition and encouraging schools to consider commemoration of his life. Full story