Same-Sex Marriage Now Legal in the USA, SC Rules

Same-sex marriage is now legalized nationwide in the USA, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Friday in a landmark decision, a historic victory for gay rights advocates, as well as business institutions strongly committed to the values of diversity and inclusion. This decision, which strikes down bans against gay marriage that had previously existed in 14 states, comes after decades of protest and litigation on behalf of gays and lesbians. - Read more here:

The justices heard oral arguments in the case on April 28, though they gave little indication as to which way they were leaning. Justice Anthony M. Kennedy, seen as the key voter, said it was "difficult" for the court to change the traditional definition of marriage from one that's been used for millennia, the Washington Post reported. But he later said same-sex couples recognized the nobility of marriage and wanted to share in it. - Read more here:

 

News of the historic ruling on gay marriage was greeted with both cheers, from gay-lesbian communities and their supporters, and jeers from critics. The President himself was jubilant, and in his remarks following the ruling, he said: This ruling is a victory for Jim Obergefell and the other plaintiffs in the case. It’s a victory for gay and lesbian couples who have so long for their basic civil rights. It’s a victory for their children, whose families will now be recognized as equal to any other. It’s a victory for the allies and friends and supporters who spent years, even decades working and praying for change to come. And this ruling is a victory for America. This decision affirms what millions of Americans already believe in their hearts. When all Americans are treated as equal, we are all more free. - Read more here:

See also this, regarding the reactions on social media, mostly in praise of the ruling and support for the LGBTQ community.

Based on polling results reported earlier this month, public opinion research clearly demonstrates that a growing majority supports the freedom to marry. Likewise, support continues to rise in every state, demographic and community. Support for the freedom to marry for gay couples comes from a diversity of demographics at the state and national levels, including Catholics and Evangelical Millenials. 

An excerpt from the polling report: 

"Supermajority Support: The highest percentage ever of Americans – a 63% supermajority - back the freedom to marry as a constitutional right for gay couples, according to a 2015 CNN/ORC poll."

How did the SC justices vote?

Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote the majority opinion, and was joined by the court’s four liberal justices: Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Stephen G. Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan.[...] For the first time in his decade as chief justice, Roberts read a dissenting opinion from the bench. His dissent was particularly biting, one that pilloried the majority for what he stated was an unconstitutional, unprecedented “act of will, not legal judgment.” - Read more here:

The other dissenting justices were Justices Antonin Scalia, Clarence Thomas, and Samuel A. Alito, Jr. 

See also Justice Thomas dissent in which  he invoked the examples of slavery and internment camps.

Note: This article is Part 1 of a three-part series on the SC Ruling on gay marriage. 

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