U.S. appeals court hears Prop. 8 arguments

San Francisco Chief Deputy City Atty. Therese M. Stewart argues to preserve the latest court decision to overturn Proposition 8 before to the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Attorneys defending Proposition 8 look over their notes minutes before the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals begins a hearing on whether to nullify a judge’s decision to overturn the law that forbids same-sex marriage in California.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Attorney David Boies argues in favor of a judge’s ruling to invalidate Proposition 8 despite the fact that he didn’t disclose that he was a gay man in a long-term committed relationship.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Actor/director Rob Reiner talks with other spectators inside the James R. Browning Courthouse where the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals considers motions on appeal regarding the latest court decision to overturn Proposition 8, a law forbidding same-sex marriage in California.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Stephen Reinhardt listens to motions on appeal regarding the latest court decision to overturn Proposition 8, a law forbidding same-sex marriage in California.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Attorney Ted Olson, right, waits to deliver his argument before the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.

For the Record, March 12, 2012: An earlier version of this caption misidentified attorney Ted Olson as Thomas Burke.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)