Eighth day of gay marriage trial opens with Prop 8 supporters saying some churches against ban

Prop 8 supporters show some churches opposed ban

SAN FRANCISCO — Lawyers defending California’s gay marriage ban started the eighth day of a federal trial by producing campaign fliers and other documents showing some churches in the state opposed the ballot measure that established the ban.

Stanford University professor Gary M. Segura spent his second day Thursday on the witness stand under cross-examination by David Thompson, a lawyer representing Proposition 8 backers.

Thompson sought to undercut Segura’s earlier testimony that gays are politically powerless in the United States.

Thompson used Segura’s appearance to show U.S. District Court Judge Vaughn Walker that some churches in the state campaigned against the gay marriage ban.

Gay marriage supporters are trying to show that the campaign behind Proposition 8 was fueled by religious hostility and other animus toward gays.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Lawyers defending California’s gay marriage ban started the ninth day of a federal trial by producing campaign fliers and other documents showing some churches in the state opposed the ballot measure that established the ban.

Stanford University professor Gary M. Segura spent his second day Thursday on the witness stand under cross-examination by David Thompson, a lawyer representing Proposition 8 backers.

Thompson sought to undercut Segura’s earlier testimony that gays are politically powerless in the United States.

Thompson used Segura’s appearance to show U.S. District Court Judge Vaughn Walker that some churches in the state campaigned against the gay marriage ban.

Gay marriage supporters are trying to show that the campaign behind Proposition 8 was fueled by religious hostility and other animus toward gays.