The U.S. Supreme Court has to consider two
cases about the freedom to marry. These two cases, which concern the
discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and California’s
Proposition 8, are fundamentally about whether gay and lesbian
Americans can enjoy the same freedoms and opportunities as everyone
else.
This week the Supreme Court has heard oral arguments in both cases, and is expected to announce its runnings at June 2013. It is a very important moment in the LGBT movement, and of course I hope its decisions will be in favor of equality.
You can follow this subject in United for Marriage
I do not expect that much to occur when the court decides this case, probably by July 1 of this year. I do not think a blanket decision to legalize same-sex marriage will be issued, although I could be wrong. My best guess on the outcome is this-
ReplyDelete1. The court will refuse to make a decision on whether or not Proposition 8 should stand in California. This will mean that same -sex marriage will become legal in California, and that the lower court's ruling with stand.
2. I expect DOMA to be overturned. This is very good new since the U.S. Federal Government will be forced to recognize any marriage which has been conducted in any state with legal same-sex marriage, and other good things will happen as a result.
if this happens, it will be a clear victory for marriage equality. However, states like Texas which want to continue to refuse to allow same-sex marriage can continue to do so. It will take a few more years, and a more liberal court, and more state-by-state legalization for a blanket ruling to come. But I may be wrong.
Very grateful for your analysis Eddi. I hope equality wins in any case!
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