More than 3,000 same-sex couples from across the country bought marriage licenses in San Francisco during the first 10 days that the city offered them to gay and lesbian couples last month, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. Two groups filed lawsuits against the city to stop the practice, and the city filed one against California to challenge state laws that forbid same-sex marriage. The city has said it will continue issuing the licenses and conducting marriage ceremonies until the cases are decided.

On Feb. 20, the Sandoval County, N.M., county clerk followed San Francisco's lead and started issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples. However, the practice was stopped that day by the New Mexico attorney general, who said that state statutes limit marriage to a man and a woman, according to the Albuquerque Tribune. A spokesman for the attorney general told the newspaper that the 68 licenses that were issued to same-sex couples were invalid unless the laws are changed.