Come March 5 and the California Supreme Court will hear the verbal arguments of the lawsuits challenging the same-sex marriage ban!

The court is expected to issue a ruling in the case three months after the hearing of the arguments. In May last year, a ruling by the same court had allowed same-sex marriages in California, which resulted in a number of gay nuptials, before the matter was put to vote.

The upholding of Proposition 8, in the November 4 ballot initiative passed by 52 percent voter majority, is being termed as "unconstitutional" not only by gay couples, but also by Attorney General Jerry Brown and quite a few local governments.

Brown, the former governor, argues that the same-sex marriage ban curbs the right to freedom, which is of utmost importance in the state constitution and, as such, desires the rejection of the ban by the court. Ban opponents also opine that the court should defend the rights of the 'gay' minority.

However, the ban advocates say the court is not in a position to alter the California state charter that allows the people the undisputable autonomy to make laws and set policy, and the verdict by the people is final.

If the court ruling goes in favor of the ban, a decision will also be required about the fate of the 18,000 same-sex marriages that were performed during the short period when gay marriage was legalized in California!