Court to decide whether to rule on gay marriage

U.S. Supreme Court justices will go behind closed doors this week to decide whether now is the time to rule on same-sex marriage.

Sunday's Los Angeles Times reports that on Friday the court will sift through appeals on California's Proposition 8 and the National Defense of Marriage Act.

The issue is not just what to decide but when it should be decided.

In the past, the court has been criticized for waiting too long or moving too quickly to recognize constitutional rights.