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Testimony in the trial challenging California’s ban on same-sex marriages concluded on Wednesday. U.S. Chief District Court Judge Vaughn R. Walker will review evidence presented in the two-and-a-half weeks of court proceedings over Proposition 8 before issuing a ruling expected sometime in March. Whatever decision is handed down will most likely be appealed until reaching a higher court. The historic and high-profile trial featured the testimony of sixteen witnesses and experts for the plaintiffs challenging the passage of the same-sex marriage ban by California voters in 2008. The defense, on the other hand, only called two witnesses. David Boies, one of the lead attorneys for the plaintiffs said that his side’s arguments had established that marriage was a fundamental right and that banning gays and lesbians from the institution had caused them harm without any discernible benefit for society. David Blakenhorn was one of the defense’s two witnesses, and concluded his testimony on Wednesday reiterating his belief that marriage should only be between a man and a woman and that the welfare of children was more important than rights for gays and lesbians. In cross-examinations, lawyers seeking to overturn Prop. 8 were able to gain key concessions, however, from defense witnesses that analysts of the trial say favor a possible ruling for the challengers.

GUEST: Rick Jacobs, Chair of the Courage Campaign Institute

For more information, visit www.prop8trialtracker.com.