Nevada clerks issue first licenses to gays

LAS VEGAS – Frustration turned to elation Thursday as a dizzying legal wrangle ended with gay couples receiving marriage licenses in Las Vegas – the marriage capital of the world – and other cities across Nevada.

Thomas Topovski cried as the Clark County clerk announced to cheers that marriage licenses would finally be issued. He and Jefferson Ruck, his partner of 14 years, returned Thursday for their marriage license after standing in line for hours the day before.

The hopes of gay couples in Nevada had been in limbo since the 9th Circuit ruled Tuesday that gay couples’ equal protection rights were violated by same-sex wedding bans in Nevada and Idaho.

In Nevada, the last challenge opposing Nevada gay marriage was dropped early Thursday. Clerks waited for a trial judge to enforce the court’s order before they started issuing licenses at about 5 p.m. Thursday.

Hong Kong calls off talks with protesters

HONG KONG – The government in Hong Kong backed out of talks with leaders of the pro-democracy protests Thursday, saying that it would not meet with them after they had called on their supporters to come back to the streets to keep up pressure on the authorities.

That was an unacceptable threat, Hong Kong’s number two official said.

The announcement set the stage for further confrontation between protesters.

Student leaders immediately responded by redoubling their calls for people to return to the streets today evening to put fresh pressure on the government, and, several thousand gathered at the main protest site.

Associated Press and The Washington Post