MINISTERS WHO OFFICIATED AT SAME-SEX MARRIAGES GO TO COURT: From the New York Times

A solemn crowd of more than 150 Unitarian congregants and gay rights advocates gathered on the steps of the New Paltz courthouse on Monday afternoon to support two ministers facing charges for officiating at same-sex marriages.

Singing the Unitarian hymn "Spirit of Life'' from photocopied sheets that flapped in a cold breeze, the crowd cheered in support of the ministers, Kay A. Greenleaf and Dawn Sangrey, as they walked into their hearing in the low brick building.

Placards of support included one marked "Let Our Reverend Go," a rainbow-captioned "Freedom to Love" and a sandwich board worn by a 79-year old congregant from Ms. Greenleaf's church marked "Straight, but not narrow." No one demonstrated against the ministers. ...

Ms. Greenleaf, minister at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Poughkeepsie, and Ms. Sangrey, minister at the Fourth Unitarian Society of Westchester in Mohegan Lake, are charged with multiple counts of solemnizing marriages without a license.

The prosecutor, District Attorney Donald A. Williams of Ulster County, had earlier filed identical charges against Jason West, 26, the mayor of the village of New Paltz.

Mr. Williams has repeatedly said that he intends to focus prosecution on the narrow issue of officials solemnizing marriages without a license. Clergy members and mayors in New York State may solemnize marriages, but they must confirm that the couple has obtained a license. The failure to check for a license is a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in prison or a $500 fine, the district attorney said. ...

The lawyer defending the two ministers, Robert C. Gottlieb, said he would ask that all charges be dismissed on several grounds, including that any block against same-sex marriage denies equal protection guaranteed by the State Constitution. In addition, he said he would argue that prosecution in relation to a marriage violates the constitutional separation of church and state. ...

Same-sex marriages are scheduled to continue in New Paltz on Saturday, with 20 ceremonies planned by the New Paltz Equality Initiative, according to Charles I. Clement, a spokesman for the group.

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