Supreme Court to Rule On Prop. 8; Gay Marriage Has Chance of Legalization Nationwide

The case to do away with Proposition 8, the California ban on gay marriage, began on Thursday, according to the Los Angeles Times.

The initial arguments are expected to last for an hour. Despite the brief deliberation, there may be hints as to which way the Supreme Court is leaning. At 1 p.m., audio of the arguments will be made public. At 2 p.m. written transcripts of the arguments will be made public.

Charles J. Cooper and Theodore B. Olson, two lawyers from the Reagan administration, are opposing each other in a case that could change history.

Olson is arguing for the right to marry for all. Cooper is arguing for voters to have the power in deciding state marriage laws. A lawyer from the Obama administration will also address the court, arguing that all should have the right to marry.

With many waiting for a decision to be handed down, arguments may not go smoothly. There is a currently a disagreement on an appeal that was filed by private citizens.

A number of private citizens filed an appeal against a decision to strike down Proposition 8 in San Francisco. However, opposing counsel is questioning whether or not the appeal is valid, since the citizens do not represent the state. Nevertheless, both lawyers are eager to hear the Supreme Court’s decision on the marriage ban.

Cooper will be the first to argue. He will be given 30 minutes to present his case for why voters should decide marriage laws within the state. Olson will follow, but will only have 20 minutes to argue. He will present why Proposition 8 is unconstitutional in its prohibition of the marriage of gay and lesbian couples.

The representative from the Obama administration is United States Solicitor General Donald Verrilli Jr., who will join Olsen’s side as a “friend of the court.”

The decision will have a history-making impact on the entire country.