Was the annulment of gay marriages fair?

Eric Heins, right, and boyfriend David Glenn rally in support of gay marriage in San Francisco

California's Supreme Court has annulled nearly 4,000 gay marriages that took place in San Francisco.

The Court ruled that the Mayor of San Francisco, Gavin Newsom, overstepped his powers issuing same-sex marriage licences earlier this year.

Newsom gave the go-ahead to issue marriage licences, saying current legislation was discriminatory.

"The same-sex marriages authorized by the officials are void and of no legal effect," the judges said.

Gay groups slammed the decision to annul the unions as "shockingly disrespectful" while conservatives hailed the ruling as a major victory.

What do you think about the Court's decision? Could this ruling have an impact in the outcome of the next presidential election? Send us your views

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The following comments reflect the balance of opinion we have received so far:

The Court's decision was correct, the local Mayor was wrong; all is now back to some kind of moral normality. As for the Presidential elections, if homosexuals and lesbians think that their desire to have same sex marriages is a vote winner then let a candidate declare for them. They must know the majority of the population find their life styles repugnant and any political support is suicide at the ballot box.
Mike Hall, Kingham, UK

It's a shame to human race, let them do what ever they want in the name of freedom, but marriage is between two opposite-sex couples
Babu, USA/India

I believe that same-sex marriages should be legally recognized; however, the Court is technically right, Newsom did not have the authority to determine the marriages' legality. Unfortunately, I don't think the majority of voters will care, as most

I believe that same-sex marriages should be legally recognized; however, the Court is technically right Rebecca, Philadelphia, USA

people truly prefer to pretend gay people (like poor people) don't exist.
Rebecca, Philadelphia, USA

To annul a marriage between 2 consenting adults is like opening Pandora's box. What if a racist gets in power and want to annul a mixed race marriage.
Hermione, UK

The mayor clearly broke the law by issuing the marriage certificates. California has marriage defined as a union between man and women. If gays want social change, then they must follow the proper procedures to change the law. Without law, every fanatical Mayor or judge will be able to decide what is right for the country.
Matthew McCormack, Philadelphia, USA

The next time you tell your children that everyone in the United States has equal rights, remember this: You're lying.
Robert, Eugene, Oregon USA

This doesn't seem unreasonable. It doesn't judge on the merit of gay marriages, merely that the Mayor over extended beyond his legal powers.
Mike, GA, USA

How could it possibly be any thing but fair? The Court was just applying the law, that is what Courts are supposed to do. The Mayor and the participants knew that they were acting outside California law when they embarked on this enterprise.

The Court was just applying the law, that is what Courts are supposed to do Kurt, Baton Rouge, USA

Do they not realize that the judicial tyranny or legal anarchy that would be required for them to get what they want now could also be used against them by the majority in many more grievous ways?
Kurt, Baton Rouge, USA

No! What has the USA become? it's no longer liberal, democratic or free. Could this be the end of the USA as a free country, and perhaps a respected superpower? If it is, and if it was planned that way, all the way from the top then it should send shivers down everybody's spine, what's next, multi racial?
Steven Brewis, Tswane Pretoria

Approving gay marriage is a disgrace to humanity and for all those nations that approve of it must suffer, otherwise Sodom and Gomorrah may have to appeal.
Mohamed Sheriff, MurrayTown, Sierra Leone

It was perfectly fair and legal, and just what Newsom and the couples really wanted. They knew he was deliberately overstepping the limits of his powers to make a social point. It's just like when protesters lay down in the streets, the pay-off is an arrest, to demonstrate the unfairness of whatever they're protesting.
T.J. Cassidy, Arlington, VA, USA