Long Beach Mayor Raises LGBT Pride Flag

Long Beach Mayor Bob Foster raised an LGBT Pride flag Tuesday morning over City Hall Plaza to show support for gay marriage.

LGBT Pride flag over City Hall Plaza. (Ashley Riegle/ ATVN)

Foster raised the flag, which will remain up through Thursday, as part of the Courage Campaign's California Mayors United Against Proposition 8 movement.

The Supreme Court began a two-day examination of gay rights on Tuesday, starting with a hearing on California's Proposition 8, which bans same-sex marriage.

This is the first time in 10 years that the supreme court will hold  a hearing examining gay rights.

On Wednesday, the justices will discuss the Defense of Marriage Act, which prevents legally married gay couples from receiving the same benefits as heterosexual couples.

Although 40 states refuse to legalize gay marriage, the public opinion is shifting rapidly in favor of permitting same-sex marriage. According to a Pew Research Center poll conducted in March, 49 percent  of Americans now support gay marriage, with 44 percent opposing it.

Republican Theodore Olson and Democrat David Boies are representing the same-sex couples, opposing Charles Cooper. Charles Cooper was Olson's old colleague at the justice department in the Reagan administration.

Supporters and opponents of gay marriage gathered around the supreme court on Tuesday waiting for their voice to be heard. Some people have been waiting since last Thursday to head the line into the courtroom and earn a chance to witness history. Various rallies were also planned on the street.

Among the supporters was actor and director Rob Reiner, who helped lead the fight against Proposition 8.

One of the opponents, retired metal worker Mike Krzywonos, 57, wore a button that read "marriage 1 man + 1 women."

Supporters of proposition 8 said the court should show respect to California voters who approved baning same-sex marriage in 2008.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.