The US Supreme Court is set to hear arguments tonight NZ time on whether or not same sex marriage will become legal across the United States,
The Wall Street Journal reports that the US Supreme Court will begin to hear arguments tonight (NZ time) in what is considered to be a potential watershed moment for America’s gay and lesbian couples. After rapid changes that have made same-sex marriage legal in all but 14 states, the Supreme Court will hear arguments over whether it should be the law of the land.
The justices are reviewing a contrary appeals-court decision from last year that said gay-marriage restrictions in four states were fine. The plaintiffs, 16 gay and lesbian couples forbidden by states to marry, contend that the Constitution entitles them to unions on the same terms as heterosexuals, and that state restrictions hurt them financially and demean their dignity by denying their unions legal recognition.
Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and Tennessee argue that the court should defer to the political process, leaving the decision whether to recognize same-sex unions to the legislatures of each state.
Currently same-sex couples can legally marry in 36 states and the District of Columbia.
Article | Levi Joule.
