On January 11, a federal court in San Francisco will begin a non-jury trial to address a challenge against Proposition 8 filed by two same-sex couples after the measure was passed in November 2008. Individuals who wish to follow the trial will be able to watch courtroom footage on a daily basis on YouTube, as a California judge ruled to allow cameras at the trial.

Allowing cameras in a federal courtroom is an extremely rare occurance, but due to the heightened media attention surrounding Prop 8, the courts agreed to broadcast the footage. It won't be streamed live, but it will be updated on a daily basis on YouTube.

The legal battle surrounding Proposition 8 has only increased since the bill was passed with 52.5 percent of the vote in November 2008. A lesbian couple and a gay couple who were banned from marrying after the vote issued the suit that challenges the constitutionality of the law.

Opponents of Prop 8 say it changed the state Constitution to restrict fundamental rights guaranteed by the state. Supporters of the ban say Californians have long had the chance to alter their state Constitution through ballot initiatives.

Will you be tuning into the trial?

via CNN