Discussion of Walker's sexual identity came to the fore in February when the San Francisco Chronicle reported that Walker is gay. The story appeared beneath the headline: "Judge being gay a nonissue during Prop. 8 trial." Walker did not comment on his sexuality in the story, and he has neither confirmed nor denied being gay in subsequent reports.

Walker has been characterized as a judge who believes strongly in personal privacy--his sexuality is not something that he has hidden, so much as something that he has chosen not to publicly present. Walker declined to be interviewed for this article, citing the impending ruling in the Prop. 8 case.