Correspondent
Just as California's trial on gay marriage got under way today, the U.S. Supreme Court temporarily overruled a federal judge in San Francisco and barred video coverage the proceedings.
Without explanation, the justices blocked the decision by U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker allowing the trial to be streamed on the internet, the
Los Angeles Times reported. The Supreme Court did allow streaming to other rooms of the San Francisco courthouse where the trial is being held.
The temporary order will remain in effect until Wednesday.
Lawyers for supporters of Proposition 8, which banned same-sex marriages in the state, had asked the high court to reverse the decision to allow video coverage, arguing that their clients would not receive a fair trial.
It is the nation's first trial on gay marriage. Two couples filed the lawsuit seeking to overturn
Prop. 8, passed by the voters in 2008, saying it is unconstitutional and discriminates against homosexuals.