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SAN FRANCISCO (Jan. 12) -- The significance of the nation's first federal trial over same-sex marriage was obvious Monday when the attorneys representing the various parties introduced themselves to open the proceedings. There were 22 of them.
Two gay men and two lesbians are challenging California's Proposition 8, which banned same-sex marriages in 2008. The two couples, both in long-term relationships, charge that they are victims of unlawful discrimination because they are unable to marry.
Previously, the battle over gay marriage has largely been argued state by state. But both sides in this case expect the losing side to appeal the case to the U.S. Supreme Court, which could shape national policy on gay rights for years to come.
Supporters of the lawsuit liken it to Brown v. Board of Education, the landmark civil rights case that struck down the practice of "separate but equal" in 1954.
The non-jury trial resumes today in front of Chief District Judge Vaughn R. Walker and is likely to last two to three weeks.
2 Couples Make Case for Gay Rights in Landmark Trial - Sphere News
Two gay men and two lesbians are challenging California's Proposition 8, which banned same-sex marriages in 2008. The two couples, both in long-term relationships, charge that they are victims of unlawful discrimination because they are unable to marry.
Previously, the battle over gay marriage has largely been argued state by state. But both sides in this case expect the losing side to appeal the case to the U.S. Supreme Court, which could shape national policy on gay rights for years to come.
Supporters of the lawsuit liken it to Brown v. Board of Education, the landmark civil rights case that struck down the practice of "separate but equal" in 1954.
The non-jury trial resumes today in front of Chief District Judge Vaughn R. Walker and is likely to last two to three weeks.
2 Couples Make Case for Gay Rights in Landmark Trial - Sphere News