SEX AND THE CITY - NIXON ON GAY MARRIAGE CRUSADE

Former SEX AND THE CITY star CYNTHIA NIXON is joining the campaign calling for gay marriages to be made legal across America.

The 39-year-old, who shot to fame as lawyer MIRANDA HOBBS in the hit TV show, shocked fans last year (04) when she openly stepped out with education expert CHRISTINE MARINONI, with whom she is enjoying a same sex relationship.

The mother of two says, "I feel like it's a civil rights issue."

Gay marriages are a contentious issue in the US with President GEORGE W BUSH, an ardent opponent of homosexuality, opposed to allowing same sex unions to be recognised on a similar standing to heterosexual marriages.