Gay marriage foes seek Supreme Court intervention to block broadcast of Proposition 8 trial

Justices asked to bar taping of gay marriage trial

WASHINGTON — Gay marriage opponents are asking the Supreme Court to block the broadcast of the upcoming trial on California’s same-sex marriage ban.

At issue in the federal trial beginning Monday in San Francisco is whether the Proposition 8 gay marriage ban approved by California voters in November 2008 is legal.

The presiding judge has agreed to allow video of the trial to posted on YouTube.com several hours later.

Late Friday, a three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals denied a request to block the broadcasts. Now, Proposition 8 supporters have asked Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy, who handles requests from that appeals court, to step in.

He’s given the other side until noon Sunday to file a response. Kennedy can rule himself or send the request to the full court.

Opponents of the recording say they fear witnesses’ testimony may be affected if cameras are present.