Case That Made Gay Marriage Legal9 min read
On June 26, 2015, the United States Supreme Court issued a landmark ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges, which legalized gay marriage nationwide. The case originated in Ohio, where two same-sex couples filed a lawsuit after they were denied marriage licenses.
The plaintiffs, James Obergefell and John Arthur, had been together for more than 20 years and were eager to get married before Arthur died of ALS. However, Ohio did not recognize same-sex marriages at the time, so they had to take their fight to the Supreme Court.
The Court’s ruling was a major victory for the LGBT community, and it was hailed as a watershed moment for civil rights. In his opinion for the majority, Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote that the right to marriage is “fundamental” and must be extended to all couples, regardless of their sexual orientation.
Since the Obergefell ruling, gay marriage has been legalized in a number of other countries, including Canada, France, and the United Kingdom. It is also now recognized by the majority of U.S. states.
The Obergefell case was a major step forward for LGBT rights, and it will go down in history as one of the most important decisions in the fight for equality.
Table of Contents
What did Obergefell V Hodges do?
On June 26, 2015, the United States Supreme Court announced its 5-4 decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, which found that the fundamental right to marry is guaranteed to same-sex couples under the Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution. This landmark ruling invalidated state bans on same-sex marriage, making it legal nationwide.
The Obergefell case was brought by four same-sex couples who were denied marriage licenses in their home states of Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky, and Tennessee. The couples argued that the bans on same-sex marriage violated the Fourteenth Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause, which requires that all persons be treated equally under the law.
In a majority opinion written by Justice Anthony Kennedy, the Supreme Court held that the Fourteenth Amendment requires states to license same-sex marriages and to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states. The Court found that the history of discrimination against gay and lesbian people, as well as the purpose of the Fourteenth Amendment, supported this conclusion.
The Obergefell decision was welcomed by gay rights advocates as a historic victory for equality. It was also celebrated by many couples who were finally able to marry after years of waiting. However, the decision has been met with criticism from opponents of same-sex marriage, who argue that it violates religious freedom and traditional values.
What did Obergefell V Hodges violate?
In June 2015, the Supreme Court issued its landmark decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, which found that the Constitution guarantees the right to same-sex marriage. This ruling was a major victory for the LGBT community, and it was celebrated by many as a long-overdue step forward in the fight for equality.
However, not everyone was happy with the Obergefell decision. Some opponents of same-sex marriage argued that the ruling violated the Constitution and undermined the rule of law. In particular, they claimed that the Court had overstepped its bounds by legislating from the bench.
One of the most common arguments against the Obergefell decision is that the Constitution does not explicitly mention marriage rights for same-sex couples. This is true – the Constitution does not mention marriage rights at all. However, the 14th Amendment guarantees equal protection under the law, and the Court ruled that this Amendment protects the right to same-sex marriage.
The opponents of same-sex marriage also argue that the Obergefell ruling was a departure from precedent. In particular, they point to the 1996 case of Romer v. Evans, in which the Supreme Court ruled that Colorado could not prohibit LGBT people from seeking legal protection from discrimination. However, the Romer ruling was based on the principle of equal protection, and it did not establish a right to same-sex marriage.
Finally, some opponents of same-sex marriage argue that the Obergefell ruling will have negative consequences for society. They claim that it will lead to a breakdown of the family unit, and that it will promote the spread of HIV and other STDs. However, there is no evidence that the Obergefell decision has had any negative consequences for society.
In conclusion, the Obergefell v. Hodges decision was based on the Constitution’s guarantee of equal protection under the law. It was not a departure from precedent, and it has not had any negative consequences for society.
What did Obergefell V Hodges make legal?
On June 26, 2015, the US Supreme Court ruled in Obergefell v Hodges that the fundamental right to marry is guaranteed to same-sex couples by both the Due Process and Equal Protection Clauses of the Fourteenth Amendment to the US Constitution. This landmark ruling means that same-sex couples can now marry in all 50 states, no matter what their sexual orientation may be.
The Obergefell v Hodges decision overturned a 6th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that had upheld bans on same-sex marriage in four states: Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and Tennessee. In his majority opinion, Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote: “No union is more profound than marriage, for it embodies the highest ideals of love, fidelity, devotion, sacrifice, and family. In forming a marital union, two people become something greater than once they were. As some of the petitioners in these cases demonstrate, marriage embodies a love that may endure even past death. It would misunderstand these men and women to say they disrespect the idea of marriage. Their plea is that they do respect it, respect it so deeply that they seek to find its fulfillment for themselves. Their hope is not to be condemned to live in loneliness, excluded from one of civilization’s oldest institutions. They ask for equal dignity in the eyes of the law. The Constitution grants them that right.”
Justice Kennedy’s stirring words were echoed by Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who wrote in her concurring opinion: “Marriage today is not what it was under the common law tradition, under which marriage was a contract to which both husband and wife were parties. Rather, marriage today is a relationship of two individuals who, with their consent, agree to live together as husband and wife. This change in the institution of marriage is one of the many social changes that have come about as a result of the women’s movement.”
The Obergefell v Hodges ruling is a major victory for the LGBT community, and it has been hailed as a watershed moment in the fight for equality. In his statement on the ruling, President Barack Obama said: “This decision affirms what millions of Americans already believe in their hearts: that marriage is not about who you love, but about who loves you back. It is about commitment, responsibility, and family. At a time when too many Americans are divided along partisan lines, it is important to remember that at our core, we are all Americans. We are all part of one big family, and we all deserve the same rights and opportunities.”
The Obergefell v Hodges ruling is also a major victory for democracy. It reaffirms the principle that all Americans are entitled to equal rights under the law, regardless of their sexual orientation. This is a principle that should be cherished and defended.
What happened in Lawrence v Texas?
In 2003, the United States Supreme Court decided the landmark case of Lawrence v. Texas. The case revolved around two men, John Lawrence and Tyron Garner, who were arrested in Lawrence’s home for engaging in homosexual conduct.
The men were convicted of a crime based on their sexual orientation, and their case made it all the way to the Supreme Court. In a 6-3 decision, the Court ruled that the Constitution protects the right of individuals to engage in consensual homosexual activity.
This landmark ruling was a major victory for the gay rights movement, and it helped to solidify the principle that discrimination against gay people is unconstitutional.
How do you pronounce Obergefell?
How do you pronounce Obergefell? This is a question that has been asked a lot lately, especially in light of the recent Supreme Court decision that legalized same-sex marriage throughout the United States.
The answer to this question is not as straightforward as one might think. The surname Obergefell is pronounced differently by different people. Some say “Oh-bur-gaf-ul,” while others say “O-bur-ge-fell.” There is no right or wrong way to say it; it is simply a matter of personal preference.
However, the pronunciation that is favored by most people is “O-bur-ge-fell.” This is the pronunciation that was used by the plaintiff in the Obergefell v. Hodges case, James Obergefell. Mr. Obergefell’s preference was to have his surname pronounced “O-bur-ge-fell” because that is how it is pronounced in his hometown of Cincinnati, Ohio.
The fact that the pronunciation of this surname is not standardized makes it a bit difficult to say, but it is definitely worth learning how to say correctly, especially now that Obergefell is such a controversial word.
Who won Romer v Evans?
The landmark case of Romer v Evans, decided by the US Supreme Court in 1996, was a major victory for the LGBTQ+ community. The case centered around Amendment 2 to the Colorado Constitution, which prohibited the state from recognizing or protecting LGBTQ+ people from discrimination.
The plaintiffs in the case, Romer v Evans, were a group of LGBTQ+ people who had been denied protection from discrimination. They challenged the amendment on the grounds that it violated their constitutional rights.
The US Supreme Court ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, finding that the amendment violated the Equal Protection Clause of the US Constitution. The Court found that the amendment was motivated by hostility towards LGBTQ+ people, and that it could not be justified by any legitimate purpose.
The Romer v Evans decision was a major victory for the LGBTQ+ community, and helped to pave the way for later advances in LGBTQ+ rights, such as the legalization of same-sex marriage.
What happened in the case Plessy vs Ferguson?
On May 18, 1896, the United States Supreme Court announced its decision in the case of Plessy vs Ferguson. The court ruled that as long as segregated facilities were “equal in quality,” African Americans could be segregated from white Americans. This case effectively legalized racial segregation in the United States.
The case of Plessy vs Ferguson began in 1892, when Homer Plessy, an African American man, attempted to board a train in New Orleans. Plessy was seated in a “white only” car, but he refused to leave. He was arrested and taken to court, where he argued that the Louisiana law requiring segregated facilities was unconstitutional.
In its decision in the case of Plessy vs Ferguson, the Supreme Court ruled that the Louisiana law was constitutional. The court stated that “separate but equal” facilities were constitutional, as long as the facilities were of equal quality. This ruling would effectively legalize racial segregation in the United States.
