About 300 people rallied outside the federal courthouse in downtown San Diego on Monday, the night before the Supreme Court will begin hearing arguments in two cases with major implications for same-sex couples.
On Tuesday, the Supreme Court will consider a challenge to California's Proposition 8. It was passed by voters in 2008 and banned same-sex marriage. The justices could decide to strike it down and rule same-sex couples have a fundamental right to marry.
One man 10News spoke with was emotional as he talked about his partner who died a year and a half ago and would not live to see the Supreme Court take up the issue.
"It's an appropriate relationship for me. I'm a gay man," said Richard Wilhein. "The relationship they would like me to have is not appropriate. I found the man I love. It was an appropriate relationship and it went on for 34 years and would still be going on, as loving as it ever was."
On Wednesday, the Supreme Court will take up the Defense of Marriage Act. President Bill Clinton signed that into law in 1996. It denies federal benefits to same-sex couples who are legally married in their states.
