SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Gay couples in California can start making their wedding plans for June 17.Following through on a landmark state Supreme Court decision, a state agency Wednesday tentatively set that date as the first day counties can begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples.But the directive issued by the state Department of Public Health could still be changed. All eyes are on the court, which is considering a request to delay its ruling until voters take up a ballot measure targeted for November that would outlaw gay marriage once again. For now, gay couples are rejoicing."It's going to be a really exciting time, obviously," said Jason Scott, a gay marriage advocate in Fresno who is organizing couples wishing to tie the knot on the first day possible. "We're planning to get in line at 8 a.m. that date because (the clerk's office) opens at 8:30."Scott, who plans to marry his longtime partner that day, is surveying the demand and said the number of couples in line could reach several dozen.Demand might be weaker in Tulare County. Officials there haven't fielded many inquiries from gay couples, said Chief Deputy Clerk-Recorder Julie Poochigian.In an e-mail to county clerks, the state Health Department's Office of Vital Records said counties must start using gender-neutral marriage license forms June 17. The new forms include spaces for "Party A" and "Party B" instead of "Bride" and "Groom."Fresno County Clerk Victor Salazar said the county would start using the new forms as directed. But he and Poochigian said they would not process gay marriages until the state Supreme Court's decision is final.The court threw out the state's ban on gay marriage May 15. But the Arizona-based Alliance Defense Fund, a Christian-based legal group that opposes gay marriage, is seeking a stay on the order until voters consider a measure that would put a gay marriage ban in the state constitution.A coalition of conservative groups has turned in enough signatures to qualify the measure, but elections officials must still verify them. A final decision is expected next month.The state Supreme Court is expected to rule on the stay by June 16.The case is being decided as support for gay marriage is growing across the state.A new Field Poll shows 51 percent of California voters approving gay marriage -- the first time since polling began three decades ago that supporters are in the majority.(E-mail E.J. Schultz at eschultz(at)fresnobee.com)(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, www.scrippsnews.com.)
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