SAN FRANCISCO—The fate of California’s Proposition 8 hearing lies in the hands of Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker—a gay man. Assigned at random, Walker will be the presiding judge in this case.

 Other gay politicians from the area do not believe Walker’s sexuality will have any effect on his decision.

“There is nothing about Walker as a judge to indicate that his sexual orientation, other than being an interesting factor, will in any way bias his view,” said Kate Kendell, head of the National Center for Lesbian Rights.

Walker refuses to discuss the issue outside of court.

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