Conflict of Interest: CA Prop 8 Judge’s Blindspot of Sexual Orientation – His Own

Reported in the Washington Examiner:

Judge who struck down Prop 8 confirms he’s gay

The federal judge who struck down California’s gay marriage ban has confirmed longtime rumors that he’s gay, but said his sexuality was irrelevant in deciding the landmark case.

Speaking for the first time about the case since retiring from the bench in February, former Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker said he never considered recusing himself from deciding the constitutionality of Proposition 8 because of his sexual orientation, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.

“If you thought a judge’s sexuality, ethnicity, national origin (or) gender would prevent the judge from handling a case, that’s a very slippery slope,” Walker told reporters Wednesday.

“I don’t think it’s relevant,” he said.

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