by Sanjeev Gupta
San Francisco, November 6 2050
The Independent US City State of San Francisco voted in its State Legislature today to legalise marriage between humans and 'defined species', from 2051.
The long awaited law has been the subject of acrimonious debate since 2045 when it was first proposed by members of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, or ASPCA, as a means of creating greater protection for animals in society.
The list of defined species which can be wed with their human masters includes dogs, cats, horses, certain household bird species, rabbits, gerbils and housemice.
Contentious species such as snakes and other reptiles, or predatory birds, did not make the list.
"I have already booked the celebrant for our ceremony," said 43 year old dog lover, Sabine Sertains, of Santa Cruz. Sertains plans to wed her 5 year old Labrador, Theodore.
The law was passed despite strong opposition from Church leaders of all denominations, 126 of whom stood on the steps of the San Francisco legislature in protest on the day of final debate of the bill.
"Marriage is a sacred ceremony that should only be allowed between man and man, woman and woman, or man and woman. To extend it to pets demeans and degrades the sanctity of that union."
Sertains had one thing to say to Church leaders when she heard the news, "Give me a Labrador over a man any day!" she said, "He will never let you down."
San Francisco, November 6 2050
The Independent US City State of San Francisco voted in its State Legislature today to legalise marriage between humans and 'defined species', from 2051.
The long awaited law has been the subject of acrimonious debate since 2045 when it was first proposed by members of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, or ASPCA, as a means of creating greater protection for animals in society.
The list of defined species which can be wed with their human masters includes dogs, cats, horses, certain household bird species, rabbits, gerbils and housemice.
Contentious species such as snakes and other reptiles, or predatory birds, did not make the list.
"I have already booked the celebrant for our ceremony," said 43 year old dog lover, Sabine Sertains, of Santa Cruz. Sertains plans to wed her 5 year old Labrador, Theodore.
The law was passed despite strong opposition from Church leaders of all denominations, 126 of whom stood on the steps of the San Francisco legislature in protest on the day of final debate of the bill.
"Marriage is a sacred ceremony that should only be allowed between man and man, woman and woman, or man and woman. To extend it to pets demeans and degrades the sanctity of that union."
Sertains had one thing to say to Church leaders when she heard the news, "Give me a Labrador over a man any day!" she said, "He will never let you down."
