Gay marriage supporters are planning
rallies across California on Tuesday to coincide with a ruling on
Proposition 8, California's gay marriage ban.
The three-judge panel of the Ninth
Circuit Court of Appeals is expected to hand down its decision on the
constitutionality of the 2008 voter-approved amendment Tuesday at
10AM. The ruling most likely won't end the legal wrangling, because
an appeal to the United States Supreme Court is expected.
After now retired U.S. District Judge
Vaughn R. Walker declared the law unconstitutional in 2010,
proponents of the amendment appealed the ruling.
“We are very hopeful that the Ninth
Circuit will rule in favor of fairness and equality, once and for all
putting an end to Prop 8's exclusion of loving, committed couples
from marriage,” John Lewis, legal director for Marriage Equality
USA, said in a statement.
Supporters in San Francisco were
planning two events, a 10AM gathering on the steps of the Ninth
Circuit Federal Courthouse and an evening rally at Market Street and
17th Street. Organizers in Los Angeles are planning a 6PM
rally at West Hollywood Park. Similar events were being planned in
communities across California, including Fresno, Sacramento, San
Diego and Santa Barbara.