SPENCER MICHELS:
Newsom's actions set off a long and noisy debate in the streets and in the courts. Eventually, the state supreme court approved same-sex marriages, reasoning that the law discriminated on the basis of sexual orientation.
But opponents countered with Proposition 8, a constitutional amendment on the ballot limiting marriage to one man and one woman. It was approved by 52 percent of the voters in 2008. So, gay marriage supporters, including gay and civil rights groups, went to federal court last spring, contending that Prop 8 was unconstitutional, since it took away rights from same-sex couples.
Arguing the case against Prop 8 were two high-profile attorneys, David Boies and Ted Olson, who were on opposite sides in the Bush vs. Gore case that decided the 2000 presidential election. This time, they're on the same side.
It was defended by evangelicals and other religious and conservative groups who disapprove of gays marrying and raising children.
Frank Schubert was campaign manager for the Proposition 8 ballot measure.
FRANK SCHUBERT, Proposition 8 campaign manager: The people are the supreme power in California. They created the judiciary. They created the legislature, and they control the Constitution. And they have decided that marriage should be between a man and a woman.
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