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News

Judge Who Ruled Prop 8 Unconstitutional Confirms He's Gay

Lindsay William-Ross

Published Apr 6, 2011 11:00 PM

U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker (AP Photo/San Francisco Daily Journal, S.Todd Rogers)

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Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker, the man who ruled that California's controversial same-sex marriage ban was unconstitutional, has publicly confirmed long-running rumors he himself is gay. In yesterday's San Francisco Chronicle, the now-retired judge says he never considered stepping aside from the Proposition 8 case because he believes his sexual orientation was irrelevant to his decision-making.Walker told reporters: "If you thought a judge's sexuality, ethnicity, national origin (or) gender would prevent the judge from handling a case, that's a very slippery slope."

The 67-year-old Walker worked hard to try to get the Prop 8 constitutionality trial televised, however the Supreme Court balked. He believes he made the right ruling, and hope it stands as the case moves ahead against challenges.

Walker has returned to private practice since his retirement in February.