1 Year Ago, Ruling Sparked Same-Sex Marriage Debate

Groups in favor of gay marriage and those against are both claiming victory on the first anniversary of a Massachusetts court ruling ordering the state to wed homosexual couples.

Last year, the state's high court said it was unconstitutional to prohibit same-sex marriages.

Gay and lesbian groups say same-sex unions haven't caused the problems many said they would.

However, those who oppose the unions say the marriages have created havoc. They also say the long-term effects will not be evident until today's children become adults.

A review of marriage certificates by The Associated Press shows nearly 3,000 couples have since taken advantage of the Massachusetts ruling. Lawmakers are working on a new ban that would conform with the court's ruling by allowing civil unions.

That amendment to the state constitution has passed the legislature once, but must do so again before going before voters.

After the Massachusetts ruling, the mayor of San Francisco started to allow same-sex marriages, which was found to be a violation of state law.

The backlash against those moves led President George W. Bush to call for a federal amendment to define marriage. That effort failed in the U.S. Senate, but more than a dozen states passed amendments to their constitutions saying marriage can only be between a man and a woman.