Same-sex Marriage, Proposition 8 | featured news

A federal appeals court is expected to rule Tuesday on the constitutionality of Proposition 8, the 2008 ballot measure that banned gay marriage in California.

A three-judge panel appears unswayed by Prop. 8 backers' argument that the judge who issued the original ruling was in an undisclosed same-sex relationship.

A federal judge's long-term same-sex relationship did not mean he would be biased in handling the legal challenge to Proposition 8 and does not justify wiping out his ruling invalidating California's ban on gay marriage, the Bay Area's chief federal judge ruled Tuesday.

With the California Supreme Court likely to uphold Proposition 8 but still recognize those already married, the couples are feeling both elated and isolated. Jeanne Rizzo, 62, who married her partner of 20 years in September, was "somewhat heartened" Friday that her marriage is poised to survive Proposition 8 -- but she was not celebrating.