of Hashmel Turner, a City Council member and minister in Fredericksburg, Va., who in 2005 was told that he could not pray in the name of Jesus. A federal court had said his rights were not violated when his fellow council members required nondenominational prayers. In 2009, the Supreme Court declined to hear his appeal.

On Tuesday, University of Notre Dame law professor Richard Garnett said he was “the wet-blanket commentator” in believing that the impact of Monday’s decision will be very limited and largely maintains the status quo the high court set in 1983.

He said he disagreed with some concerns, voiced by Justice Elena Kagan, that the decision will open the door to expanded public prayer. Legislative prayer has always existed, but it’s hard to say how widelyGeneral support on streets of Belfast for gay marriage ceremonies

Gay marriage.

Adam Kula

Even some of those opposed to gay marriage would still attend a same-sex wedding.

That was the picture emerging on the streets of Belfast yesterday, as the hours ticked away before gay marriage became law in England at midnight last night.

Following a BBC-commissioned poll, which found roughly four out of five Brits would attend a service, the News Letter asked 21 members of the public for their thoughts.

Most were supportive of both gay marriage and the idea of attending (see below).

Only three of those who spoke opposed gay marriage outright. However even one of them, Mary Bradford, said they would go to a ceremony regardless.

A 70-year-old from Andersonstown, she said: “I don’t really believe in it (gay marriage)