California gay marriage may come sooner than you think [Google+ hangout]

The Times' Jessica Garrison will join city editor Shelby Grad for a Google+ hangout at 1:30 p.m. to discuss gay marriage in California.

As soon as this month, the U.S. Supreme Court could consider whether to review a federal appeals court decision that overturned Proposition 8, the 2008 ballot measure that banned gay marriage in California.

Gay marriage could begin in California before the end of the year if the high court decides not to review the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals' decision, advocates said. If the court decides to hear the case, the question could be decided next summer.

INTERACTIVE: Same-sex marriage milestones in U.S.

From Garrison's latest:

The court could also prolong the waiting by holding the Proposition 8 case until it reviews rulings on the federal Defense of Marriage Act.

Jon W. Davidson, legal director for Lambda Legal, a gay rights organization, said that whatever the court does, the election last week demonstrated that public opinion on same-sex marriage is moving in favor of gay rights.

"This will send an even clearer message to the justices about which way the winds of history are blowing," he said.

Opponents of gay marriage dispute that, arguing that the four states where gay marriage was on the ballot last week were all liberal-leaning places.

Voters in Maryland, Washington and Maine approved legalizing gay marriage. In Minnesota, voters rejected a proposed constitutional amendment banning gay marriage. Gay marriage is now legal in nine states and the District of Columbia.

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