If the Supreme Court doesn’t end bans on same-sex couples’ marriages in all 50 states this June, then the constitutional bans in most of the states across the country could prove a stumbling block to the current momentum in the years to come.
From Washington state to Washington, DC, and from the Rhode Island statehouse to the Supreme Court of the United States, the country is very different from just last May.
After transgender and immigrant rights activists criticized exclusion from this past week’s Supreme Court rally, the Human Rights Campaign apologizes. “We failed to live up to the high standard to which we hold ourselves accountable and we will strive to do better in the future,” HRC’s vice president says.
The Supreme Court’s swing vote, Justice Anthony Kennedy, had a lot to say today. Spoiler alert: Outcome unclear.
Director Rob Reiner says he still plans on directing a feature film version of Dustin Lance Black’s play 8.
Jeff Zarrillo, Paul Katami, Sandy Stier, and Kris Perry are in Washington, D.C., and ready for Tuesday’s arguments in their case challenging California’s Proposition 8 marriage amendment.
After years of winding through the courts, two definitive cases in the marriage debate will finally reach the Supremes. Here’s what they’ll be considering.
Evan Wolfson and Andrew Sullivan have been arguing since the 1980s that marriage equality is the key step to advancing gay rights in society. This week, the Supreme Court could make their early writings — and lives’ work — a reality.
One week left to be remembered as a leader on the issue.
“The basic principle that America is founded on — the idea that we’re all created equal — applies to everybody, regardless of sexual orientation, as well as race or gender or religion or ethnicity,” Obama says.
The president, who has said he personally supports marriage equality, has never said whether he believes the Constitution requires it. Supreme Court briefs supporting the challenge to Proposition 8 are due Feb. 28.
Ken Mehlman tells BuzzFeed he is pushing for same-sex couples’ marriage rights “because we are conservatives, not in spite of it.” Here’s how he got 80 prominent Republicans to join him in the fight.
More than 80 Republicans will send a brief to the justices hearing the case over the constitutionality of California’s Proposition 8. Among the most prominent figures are Ken Mehlman, Reps. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Richard Hanna, and several former governors and House members.
The Alliance Defending Freedom is urging prayers for the lawyers fighting to uphold Proposition 8 and DOMA for them, their families, and their “service on behalf of the just and worthy cause of protecting marriage.” Lawyers opposing the laws get prayers “that God would manifest His goodness in [their] life.”
“The only substantive question in this case is whether the State is entitled to exclude gay men and lesbians from the institution of marriage and deprive their relationships—their love—of the respect, and dignity and social acceptance, that heterosexual marriages enjoy,” lawyers for two California couples told the Supreme Court Thursday.
“I have to make sure that I’m not interjecting myself too much into this process, particularly when we’re not a party to the case,” Obama said Wednesday. If the administration weighs in, it will have to come by Feb. 28.
America’s Catholic bishops have gone from a strong attack on interracial marriage bans in 1967 to a plea against being “held hostage” by states that allow same-sex couples to marry in 2013.
The day after a broad affirmation of LGBT equality, the White House press secretary dodges the question while pressed on the issue. Advocates want answers.
“Our Constitution does not mandate the traditional gendered definition of marriage, but neither does our Constitution condemn it,” supporters of the marriage ban argue.
The gay conservative group had avoided taking a position on the issue in the past. LaSalvia cites a need for “a truly conservative voice” to stand up for marriage equality.
Months before it will hear oral arguments in the cases challenging the Defense of Marriage Act and California’s Proposition 8, the Supreme Court staff already are getting ready. Visit the DOMA/Prop 8 page at the court: DOMPRP8.aspx.
Weighing in for the first time to support a state legislative effort that would let gay couples to marry, Obama goes further than ever on the issue. Still unresolved: Whether Obama thinks the U.S. Constitution requires marriage equality.
The Supreme Court is hearing cases about California’s Proposition 8 and the Defense of Marriage Act this spring. Here are the states LGBT advocates want to move to the “marriage equality” column by June, when the court’s big decisions traditionally are released.
A college freshman drew attention this week for challenging conservative Justice Antonin Scalia over his views on homosexuality. Here are the cases behind the exchange.
LGBT advocates praised President Obama in May for his announcement that he believes same-sex couples should be allowed to marry. With the Supreme Court hearing the appeal of California’s Proposition 8, however, Obama faces another test on the issue.
The fate of gay and lesbian equality rests in a pair of challenges being heard by the Supreme Court in the coming months. All eyes will be on the nine justices — and history.
Challenge to Defense of Marriage Act will pit the U.S. government on both sides of the issue. Challenge to California’s Proposition 8 — and, possibly, the constitutionality of gay marriage bans — to be heard as well.
Coalition opposed to marriage equality asks Supreme Court to resolve whether the U.S. Constitution “requires Nevada to change its definition of marriage from the union of a man and a woman to the union of two persons.” Case comes on heels of several others awaiting action by the court.
On Monday, the Supreme Court again gave no word on the status of several cases addressing the rights of gay and lesbian couples. Next news could come Friday.
No action from the Supreme Court Friday on cases involving same-sex couples’ marriage rights. News could come Monday, but that looks unlikely.
