Tying New Knots

Honolulu could become for gay couples what Las Vegas and Reno have been for heterosexuals: a quickie wedding capital. In a ground-breaking decision, the Hawaii supreme court has declared that barring gay marriages probably violates state equal-protection guarantees and ordered the state to justify the ban under the strictest judicial standards. If the ruling holds, Hawaii can expect a tidal wave of fiances; the other 49 states are likely to get a big legal headache. Even if they refuse to follow Hawaii's lead, they will have to decide whether or not to honor its gay marriages.