Gay-marriage Ban Supporters in California Claim Victory

Supporters of a proposal to ban gay marriage in California claimed victory today after early indications suggested voters were in favor of the move.

But opponents of the constitutional amendment said too many votes remained uncounted for the race to be called.

With 84% of precincts reporting, the ban had 4,605,065 votes, or 52%, to 4,293,068 votes, or 48%, against.

The proposal would limit marriage to heterosexual couples, throwing into doubt the unions of an estimated 18,000 same-sex couples who have wed since a state supreme court ruling in May.

It is widely seen as the most momentous of the 153 ballot measures allowing voters in the US to directly decide whether to change state laws or constitutions.

The vote is the first to take place in a state where gay unions are legal.

"The battle tonight has been won," Frank Schubert, co-manager of the Yes on 8 campaign, told 60 supporters at a Sacramento hotel event.

Opponents ended their election night gathering at a historic hotel in San Francisco's Union Square insisting it was premature to concede.

San Francisco mayor Gavin Newsom said the wait for same-sex couples whose personal lives hung in the balance was "excruciating".

"You decided to live your life out loud, to fall in love, and to say 'I do,' and now you have to wait for this verdict," he said.

Ban-gay-marriage amendments were approved in Arizona and Florida, and gay rights forces suffered a loss in Arkansas, where voters approved a measure banning unmarried couples from serving as adoptive or foster parents.

Supporters had made clear that gays and lesbians were their main target.

California and Massachusetts are the only two states where gay marriage is legal, although some other states recognize civil unions.The opposing sides in California raised a total of about $70m between them, much of it from out of the state, to wage their campaigns.

The outcome, whichever way it goes, will have a huge impact on prospects for spreading same-sex marriage to the 47 states that do not allow it.

According to exit polls, the black community was far more likely to support the ban. Age also was a key factor, with the exit polls showing voters under 30 opposing the ban by a 2-to-1 ratio, while most voters of 60 and older supported the ban.

Barack Obama opposed the California amendment and endorses the concept of broader rights for same-sex couples.