And there is a “need for as many children as possible to grow up under a strong shelter of marriage, our society's most pro-child institution,” he added.
 |
||
|
||
| Andrew Pugno, lead counsel for Protectmarriage.com, speaks at news conference in San Francisco, Calif., Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2010. |
Enlarge
Following Wednesday’s wrap up, Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker said the plaintiffs and defense both have until Feb. 26 to file post-trial documents and that applications to file amicus briefs would be accepted until Feb. 3.
On Feb. 26, Walker will call both sides to meet to arrange the dates for closing arguments to be delivered.
Regardless of how Walker rules, the decision is expected to be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, which could end up determining whether gay Americans have a right to marry.
Prop 8, which was passed by California voters in 2008 by a 52 percent vote, effectively defined marriage in the state’s constitution as the union of one man and one woman. The trial in San Francisco seeks to determine whether gay marriage is a constitutional right and, in effect, whether the passing of Prop 8 violates that right.
