Los Angeles, CA (Fri. Dec. 17, 2004) - On Tuesday, December 21, 89.3 KPCC's AirTalk will broadcast live from Courtroom 509 in San Francisco's Superior Court for a two-hour program on the next rounds in the legal battle over same-sex marriage in California. This special two-hour program will air from 10 a.m. to noon.

From 10 to 11 a.m., AirTalk Host Larry Mantle will discuss the constitutional challenge to California's ban on same sex marriage. A hearing on the challenge is scheduled for December 22 in San Francisco Superior Court. Mantle will speak with San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom about the legal and political ramifications of his decision to allow marriage licenses to be issued to same-sex couples. Parties who have filed "friend of the court" briefs with the Superior Court will also appear on the program.

From 11 a.m. to noon, California State Assemblyman Mark Leno (13th District) joins Mantle to discuss AB 19, the "Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act," introduced in the Assembly on December 7. Mantle will discuss the current state of the gay rights movement nationally, as well as strategies pursued by both gay rights activists and groups interested in protecting traditional marriage.

This program is supported in part by grants from Southern California Edison and the California Community Foundation. Established in 1915, the California Community Foundation is one of the largest and most active philanthropic organizations in Southern California, with assets of more than $600 million. In partnership with its donors, the foundation supports nonprofit organizations and public institutions with funds for health and human services, affordable housing, early childhood education, community arts and culture and other areas of need.

KPCC is the flagship station of Southern California Public Radio. In the past three years KPCC has won more awards for excellence in journalism than any other radio station in Southern California. KPCC is also the fastest-growing public radio station in the country, airing the signature public radio news and talk programs from NPR, along with Air Talk with Larry Mantle weekdays from 10 a.m.- 12 Noon, and Talk of the City with Kitty Felde weekdays from 2-3 p.m. Visit www.kpcc.org for more information.