[JURIST] New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg [official website] said Saturday that the city will appeal Friday's state court ruling [JURIST report; PDF text] that denying same-sex couples the right to marry violates the state constitution. Bloomberg had previously made conflicting statements about the issue. He said city lawyers had told him the state constitution does not allow for gay marriage, but also clearly stated a personal belief that people should have the right to marry whoever they choose. Political rivals have accused Bloomberg of trying to court both sides in the upcoming election. But the reason for an appeal is clear, he said — to have the state's highest court make a definitive determination. A court in Albany previously made an opposite ruling [AP report] in a similar case in December. The New York Times has more.