Best Gay Blogs » Judge Vaughn Walker

Gay Judge a Nonissue

James — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 11:00:00 +0000

The biggest open secret in the landmark trial over same-sex marriage being heard in San Francisco is that the federal judge who will decide the case, Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker, is himself gay.

Many gay politicians in San Francisco and lawyers who have had dealings with Walker say the 65-year-old jurist, appointed to the bench by President George H.W. Bush in 1989, has never taken pains to disguise – or advertise – his orientation.

They also don’t believe it will influence how he rules on the case he’s now hearing – whether Proposition 8, the 2008 ballot measure approved by state voters to ban same-sex marriage, unconstitutionally discriminates against gays and lesbians.

“There is nothing about Walker as a judge to indicate that his sexual orientation, other than being an interesting factor, will in any way bias his view,” said Kate Kendell, head of the National Center for Lesbian Rights, which is supporting the lawsuit to overturn Prop. 8.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/

Prop 8 Trial Going to YouTube

James — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 11:00:27 +0000

A federal judge in California said a trial starting Jan. 11 on the constitutionality of the state’s ban on gay marriage can be broadcast over YouTube, the video- sharing site owned by Google Inc.

Over objections of lawyers for supporters of the ban who said their witnesses might be harassed, U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker in San Francisco said the case is appropriate for broadcast because it provides the public with an opportunity to see how courts work.

More at: Business Week!

Prop 8 Headed Back to Court

James — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 11:00:51 +0000

The legal showdown over California’s ban on gay marriage heats up again this week as a federal judge considers an attempt to short-circuit the challenge to Proposition 8, the voter-approved law putting a halt to same-sex weddings in this state.

On Wednesday, Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker will consider a motion from Proposition 8 backers that would scrap plans for a January trial and put a quick end to the effort to overturn the anti-gay marriage law. Proposition 8′s defenders say U.S. Supreme Court precedent and the historical underpinnings of the definition of marriage negate the need for a trial, an argument strongly rejected by same-sex marriage advocates who vow to present strong factual evidence that Proposition 8 denies gay couples federal equal protection rights.

Based on Walker’s comments to date, Proposition 8 backers may have an uphill fight to avoid a trial, even with what some legal experts say are several strong legal arguments. The judge has indicated on numerous occasions that he believes the case warrants a trial to develop a full record for higher court review that many predict could reach the U.S. Supreme Court.

Read more at: Mercury News!