June 26, 2015
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Obergefell v. Hodges that same-sex marriage is a constitutional right under the 14th Amendment, legalizing it across the United States.
Washington, D.C., United States | U.S. Supreme Court
On June 26, 2015, the United States Supreme Court delivered a landmark decision in the case of Obergefell v. Hodges, ruling that same-sex marriage is a constitutional right under the 14th Amendment. This historic decision effectively legalized same-sex marriage across the entire United States, marking a significant milestone in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights.
The path to Obergefell v. Hodges was paved by decades of legal battles and advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights. Prior to this ruling, the legal status of same-sex marriage varied widely across the United States. Some states had legalized it, while others had constitutional amendments or laws explicitly banning it. This patchwork of laws created significant legal and social challenges for same-sex couples.
The case was named after James Obergefell, who sued the state of Ohio for refusing to recognize his marriage to his partner, John Arthur, who had passed away. Obergefell sought to have his name listed as the surviving spouse on Arthur’s death certificate, a request denied under Ohio’s ban on same-sex marriage.
The Supreme Court’s decision in Obergefell v. Hodges was a 5-4 ruling, with Justice Anthony Kennedy writing the majority opinion. The Court held that the right to marry is a fundamental right inherent in the liberty of the person, and under the Due Process and Equal Protection Clauses of the 14th Amendment, same-sex couples cannot be deprived of that right.
Justice Kennedy’s opinion emphasized the dignity and equality of same-sex couples, stating that the Constitution grants them the same rights and responsibilities as opposite-sex couples. The decision underscored the importance of marriage as a keystone of the nation’s social order and recognized the profound personal significance of marriage to individuals.
The ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges had immediate and far-reaching effects. It required all states to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples and to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other jurisdictions. This decision was celebrated by LGBTQ+ advocates and allies as a monumental victory for civil rights and equality.
The decision also sparked discussions and debates about the role of the judiciary in shaping social policy and the balance between states’ rights and individual liberties. While the ruling was met with opposition from some quarters, it marked a definitive step toward legal equality for same-sex couples in the United States.
In the broader context of LGBTQ+ rights, Obergefell v. Hodges is seen as a pivotal moment that contributed to the ongoing struggle for equality and acceptance. It built upon previous legal victories, such as the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and the invalidation of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) in United States v. Windsor (2013), further solidifying the legal foundation for LGBTQ+ rights in America.
Overall, the decision in Obergefell v. Hodges represents a significant advancement in the recognition of LGBTQ+ rights and continues to influence discussions on equality and civil rights in the United States and around the world.
Source: www.oyez.org