Florida

Gay couple sue to have marriage recognized

The Rev. Nancy Wilson and Paula Schoenwether arrived at the federal courthouse in Tampa, a copy of their Massachusetts marriage license tucked in a red folder.

The Manatee County couple, with attorney Ellis Rubin, filed a federal lawsuit Tuesday seeking nationwide recognition for gay or lesbian couples legally wed in any state. The lawsuit comes after the U.S. Senate voted down the Federal Marriage Amendment last week. The proposal fell 12 votes short of the 60 needed for passage.

In the suit filed Tuesday, Rubin contends that all states should recognize same-sex marriages the way they would a heterosexual couple’s union. U.S. Atty. Gen. John Ashcroft is one of the defendants named in the suit.

“Today, we went to have this marriage license recorded in Florida,” Schoenwether said.

Wilson and Schoenwether’s request was denied. Under Florida statutes, the state recognizes only marriages between a man and a woman.

New Jersey

Wildlife officials OK bear hunt

New Jersey’s Fish and Game Council gave final approval Tuesday in Upper Freehold to plans for a 2004 bear hunt, drawing immediate opposition from the state environmental commissioner, who said he would instruct wildlife officials not to issue hunting permits.

The council, which sets the game code and determines the dates of the hunting seasons, voted in support of a December hunt, one year after New Jersey’s first bear hunt in more than three decades. The hunts are intended to decrease New Jersey’s growing black bear population, estimated last year at 3,200.

State wildlife officials say 328 bears were killed in last year’s hunt, and said Tuesday about 500 cubs were expected to be born this year.

Environmental Commissioner Bradley Campbell, who oversees the state Division of Fish and Wildlife, criticized the decision.

Campbell supported the first hunt, but has since urged greater use of public awareness programs and more stringent enforcement of a state law prohibiting the feeding of bears, and requiring home and business owners to secure trash receptacles.