This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/8452859.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| US gay marriage ban trial begins | |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| The first US federal trial to determine whether states are allowed to ban same-sex marriages has begun in San Francisco, California. | |
| Any ruling reached is expected to be challenged, possibly taking the case all the way to the US Supreme Court. | Any ruling reached is expected to be challenged, possibly taking the case all the way to the US Supreme Court. |
| A Supreme Court ruling would determine the fate of gay marriages nationwide, without the possibility of appeal. | A Supreme Court ruling would determine the fate of gay marriages nationwide, without the possibility of appeal. |
| The suit, filed by two gay couples, challenges Proposition 8 - a ban on gay marriage in the state of California. | The suit, filed by two gay couples, challenges Proposition 8 - a ban on gay marriage in the state of California. |
| The law amended California's constitution to restrict marriage to a union between a man and a woman. | The law amended California's constitution to restrict marriage to a union between a man and a woman. |
| 'Media circus' | 'Media circus' |
| The case has not only pitted opponents and defenders of Proposition 8 against each other, it has also kicked off a debate about the pros and cons of broadcasting the proceedings. | The case has not only pitted opponents and defenders of Proposition 8 against each other, it has also kicked off a debate about the pros and cons of broadcasting the proceedings. |
| CALIFORNIA GAY MARRIAGE 2004 San Francisco begins issuing marriage licences to same-sex couples - a move annulled by Supreme Court months laterMay 2008 Supreme Court votes 4-3 to legalise same-sex marriage; introduced in JuneNovember 2008 Voters approve Proposition 8 limiting marriage to heterosexual couplesMarch 2009 Civil-rights lawyers argue before Supreme Court that referendum is anti-constitutionalMay 2009 Supreme Court rules Proposition 8 is constitutional | CALIFORNIA GAY MARRIAGE 2004 San Francisco begins issuing marriage licences to same-sex couples - a move annulled by Supreme Court months laterMay 2008 Supreme Court votes 4-3 to legalise same-sex marriage; introduced in JuneNovember 2008 Voters approve Proposition 8 limiting marriage to heterosexual couplesMarch 2009 Civil-rights lawyers argue before Supreme Court that referendum is anti-constitutionalMay 2009 Supreme Court rules Proposition 8 is constitutional |
| Less than two hours before the trial was started, the Supreme Court temporarily blocked a plan to post video of the proceeding on the internet site YouTube. | |
| The Supreme Court complied with an emergency request by lawyers who had argued that broadcasting the trial would turn it into a media circus. | The Supreme Court complied with an emergency request by lawyers who had argued that broadcasting the trial would turn it into a media circus. |
| The court has blocked the broadcast until Wednesday afternoon to allow for further consideration of the arguments brought by both sides. | The court has blocked the broadcast until Wednesday afternoon to allow for further consideration of the arguments brought by both sides. |
| Chief US District Judge Vaughn Walker had agreed to the taping after a recent rule change allowed for televised coverage of some civil cases. | Chief US District Judge Vaughn Walker had agreed to the taping after a recent rule change allowed for televised coverage of some civil cases. |
| He said the case was appropriate for wide dissemination because it dealt with an issue of wide interest and importance. | He said the case was appropriate for wide dissemination because it dealt with an issue of wide interest and importance. |
| Court showdown | Court showdown |
| Backers of Proposition 8 say the federal case starting in San Francisco is the latest attempt to overturn what they say is the will of the people as expressed by the 52% who backed the amendment in a 2008 referendum. | Backers of Proposition 8 say the federal case starting in San Francisco is the latest attempt to overturn what they say is the will of the people as expressed by the 52% who backed the amendment in a 2008 referendum. |
| Judge Vaughn Walker will have to decide whether the ban on same-sex marriage in California is constitutional. | Judge Vaughn Walker will have to decide whether the ban on same-sex marriage in California is constitutional. |
| The case, which has been brought by two gay couples, will see high-profile lawyers Theodore Olson and David Boies argue that Proposition 8 denies gays the fundamental right to marry. | The case, which has been brought by two gay couples, will see high-profile lawyers Theodore Olson and David Boies argue that Proposition 8 denies gays the fundamental right to marry. |
| Supporters of Proposition 8 will argue California does not discriminate against gays, as the current law allows them to get married - as long as they wed a partner of the opposite sex. | Supporters of Proposition 8 will argue California does not discriminate against gays, as the current law allows them to get married - as long as they wed a partner of the opposite sex. |