The testimonies have ceased in the court battle over Proposition 8 as the future of California same-sex marriages rests in the hands of one man: Judge Vaughn R. Walker.

The first federal trial of a U.S. constitutional challenge on the ban of gay marriage, Perry v. Schwarzenegger is a response to voters approving Proposition 8 on Nov. 4, 2008. Approved by 52% of the California electorate that voted, the proposition amended the California Constitution so that "only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California."

In the current lawsuit, couples Kristin Perry and Sandra Stier of Berkeley and Paul Katami and Jeffrey Zarrillo of Burbank are challenging that Proposition 8 violates their federal constitutional rights to due process and equal treatment.

The initial proceedings of the trial, which lasted for 12 days, ended Jan. 27, and the court will reconvene Feb. 26, to set a date for closing arguments.

While the court rests, there is no shortage of opinion outside the halls of justice, including on the campus of San Francisco State University.

Christopher White, director of education and training at the National Sexuality Resource Center at SF State, said he thought the trial demonstrated that Proposition 8 discriminates against homosexuals.

"I feel like it went very well in favor of repealing Proposition 8," White said. "The truth is getting out there."

Marriage is not the sole solution necessary for equality, White added. "But it's a step in the right direction." Other issues like employment discrimination and health care still must be addressed, he added.

The case will have a monumental effect on gay rights in other states, especially if it continues on to the U.S. Supreme Court, White explained.

"It's very problematic if the Supreme Court upholds [Prop. 8]," he said, explaining that it would then affect same-sex marriage across the country.

What would that mean in divine theory?

According to Alex Rosenkrantz, who graduated last semester with a degree in Chinese, and Liz Chuah, a junior economics major, same-sex relationships are sinful, yet do not disqualify gays and lesbians from admittance into heaven.

"It [homosexuality] is against the Lord's command," Rosenkrantz said outside the Cesar Chavez Student Center where he was discussing Christianity with other students. "But all men sin."

Chuah agreed that the issue is not about whether homosexuality is right or wrong but if same-sex couples have God in their lives.

"That's what I care about," Chuah said.

International students are following the trial closely, as well. Toos Hartog, who is from Amsterdam and studying at SF State for the semester, said she thought that same-sex marriage is a right that people should have.

"What are the three rights of Americans?" she asked. "Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. It's love, it should be celebrated," Hartog said.

Same-sex marriage is legal in the Netherlands, as well as in six other countries and five U.S. states: Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont.

It is up to Judge Walker if it will be legal in the state of California.