Closing arguments in the federal trial on the constitutionality of California’s same-sex marriage ban are tentatively set for June 16.
U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker set the date this morning, but it could change depending on the schedules of the lawyers on both sides of the case.
Proposition 8, enacted by California voters in 2008, amended the state Constitution to prohibit same-sex marriage.
Walker is presiding over a non-jury trial in which two same-sex couples claim the measure violates their federal constitutional rights. The sponsors of Proposition 8 are defending it in court.
Testimony in the trial was completed over the course of a two-and-a-half-week period in January, and Walker was waiting to review all the evidence before scheduling the closing arguments.
Carla Hass, a spokeswoman for ProtectMarriage.com, the group that spearheaded the Proposition 8 campaign, said both parties now need to agree to a date, which she said should happen in the next week or so.
Yusef Robb, a spokesman for the plaintiffs, said “we’re pleased there’s some forward motion” in the case.
“Every day that Prop 8 is on the books is a day when people’s constitutional rights have been violated for no good reason,” Robb said.
