US Supreme Court legalises same-sex marriage
The Court has ruled that all states must issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples
The US Supreme Court has swept in marriage equality across America, ruling that the Constitution prohibits states from denying marriage licences to same-sex couples, Politico reports.
The 5-4 decision was divided along the expected ideological lines, with four liberal judges backing gay marriage and four conservatives opposing it. The swing-vote, Anthony Kennedy, joined the court's liberal wing.
Prior to today's ruling, same-sex marriage was legal in 37 of 50 states, but most of these states did so under federal circuit court rulings that could have been overturned had the Supreme Court gone the opposite direction.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
This is the third year in a row that the Supreme Court has been presented with a same-sex marriage case. In 2013, the court struck down parts of the Defence of Marriage Act and overturned California's ban on same-sex marriage on technical grounds. Last summer, it remanded cases involving marriage equality claims in five states. They agreed to take up this set of four cases in January.
The United States now joins the 20 other nations in which gay marriage is legal. Most recently, Ireland became the first nation in the world to legalise the institution by popular vote. Finland signed a bill into law in February allowing same-sex marriages to commence in 2017.
Gay marriage has been legal in the UK since July 2013, when the Queen gave royal assent to a same-sex marriage bill passed for England and Wales. The Scottish Parliament approved a similar measure in February of last year.
British law prohibits gay marriage within the Church of England, however, as the faith maintains that marriage is an institution between a man and a woman.
Today's Supreme Court majority opinion, written by Justice Kennedy, concluded by stating: "No union is more profound than marriage, for it embodies the highest ideals of love, fidelity, devotion, sacrifice, and family. [The challengers] ask for equal dignity in the eyes of the law. The Constitution grants them that right."
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
'Another day of chaos in DC'
Today's Newspapers A roundup of the headlines from the US front pages
By The Week Staff Published
-
Labour's Brexit conundrum
The Explainer Keir Starmer backs 'twin track' strategy – build closer security ties with EU while ruling out single market, customs union and free movement
By The Week UK Published
-
6 scenic white water rafting destinations to get your heart racing
The Week Recommends Have a rip-roaring time on the water
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
Labour's Brexit conundrum
The Explainer Keir Starmer backs 'twin track' strategy – build closer security ties with EU while ruling out single market, customs union and free movement
By The Week UK Published
-
'What a difference a judge makes'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Are 'judge shopping' rules a blow to Republicans?
Today's Big Question How the abortion pill case got to the Supreme Court
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Will Aukus pact survive a second Trump presidency?
Today's Big Question US, UK and Australia seek to expand 'game-changer' defence partnership ahead of Republican's possible return to White House
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Texas migrant law in limbo after Supreme Court OK
Speed Read The law has been blocked again, mere hours after the Supreme Court allowed the state to arrest migrants
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
It's the economy, Sunak: has 'Rishession' halted Tory fightback?
Today's Big Question PM's pledge to deliver economic growth is 'in tatters' as stagnation and falling living standards threaten Tory election wipeout
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Why your local council may be going bust
The Explainer Across England, local councils are suffering from grave financial problems
By The Week UK Published
-
Rishi Sunak and the right-wing press: heading for divorce?
Talking Point The Telegraph launches 'assault' on PM just as many Tory MPs are contemplating losing their seats
By Keumars Afifi-Sabet, The Week UK Published