Marriage Equality USA reports from SCOTUS on Prop 8 arguments

MARRIAGE EQUALITY USA HOPEFUL FOR RULING IN FAVOR OF THE  | FREEDOM TO MARRY AFTER UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT ARGUMENTS

After oral arguments at the United States Supreme Court today, Marriage Equality USA is hopeful that the Court will rule in favor of the freedom to marry later this year.  MEUSA was heartened by many of the questions the justices asked. Justice Elena Kagan, expressed curiosity as to how letting same-sex couples marry harmed other people’s marriages. “How does this cause and effect work?” she asked.

Justice Kennedy sounded concerned about the California children growing up in LGBT-headed households. He stated, “They want their parents to have full recognition and full status. The voice of those children is important.”

“The Justices asked very thoughtful questions today, showing that they are considering very carefully the legal questions that are critical to the lives of loving, committed same-sex couples.  After hearing the oral argument, we are very hopeful that the Courtwill rule in favor of the freedom to marry – either by issuing a decision that renders Prop. 8 no longer enforceable, or by issuing a broader ruling that excluding loving committed same-sex couples from marriage violates the United States Constitution,” said John Lewis, Marriage Equality USA’s Legal Director.  “These cases are ultimately about our common humanity, our common instinct to love and to have kin, and what should be our common freedom under the Constitution to marry the person we love.  Listening to today’s argument we are hopeful that the Justices see our common humanity and will rule in favor the freedom to marry.”

“We are in midst of planning a June wedding and can imagine no better wedding gift than for the Supreme Court to rule on side of love and enable us to be married legally,” said Lisa Dazols who is engaged to her partner Jennifer Chang of San Francisco.  “Last night we joined thousands of other Californians at our local Light the Way to Justice rally, urging the Supreme Court to overturn Proposition 8.  The case before the Court will have a direct and profound effect on our lives.  I want nothing more than to be able to marry legally the love of my life, Lisa,” said Chang.

“The Light the Way to Justice events on the steps of the Supreme Court and in all 50 states demonstrate the groundswell of support for the freedom to marry that has emerged in our nation.  From the Democratic President of the United States to Republican Senator Rob Portman, to the thousands and thousands of people who came to the Supreme Court or met at other locations across the country, a clear majority of Americans are speaking with a common voice. That voice is saying that every single American should have the freedom to marry the person they love,” said Brian Silva, Marriage Equality USA’s Executive Director.

Tomorrow the Court will hear arguments regarding the constitutionality of the so-called Defense of Marriage Act, that excludes legally married same-sex couples from over 1,000 protections, rights, and responsibilities under federal law that all other married couples enjoy.

Listen to today’s argument: http://gayusathemovie.com/2013/03/listen-to-the-prop-8-arguments-as-all-eyes-focus-if-justice-kennedy/

http://oblogdeeoblogda.me/2013/03/26/photo-blog-of-the-first-day-scotus-hearing-for-prop8/