Shelley and Ellen (Human Rights Campaign) Marriage equality advocates in the US now have to wait till June to find out how their Supreme Court will rule on the issue – and it appears the nine justices are divided. Two and half hours of arguments have been heard on whether the US Constitution guarantees a right to same-sex marriage. As campaigners from both sides waited outside with banners and signs, one protestor was removed from the courtroom shouting the justices would "burn in hell" if they backed same-sex marriage. The justices are divided along ideological lines, and it appears the four liberals on the bench will back equality. Campaigners are hoping some positive signals from key conservative Justice Anthony Kennedy will swing the vote in their favour. Reuters reports the justice often casts the deciding vote in close cases and has a history of backing gay rights. It says he posed tough questions to both sides but seemed to give hope to marriage equality advocates by stressing the nobility and dignity of same-sex couples. Kennedy also described claims same-sex couples do not have the same bonds with their children as straight couples as “a wrong premise”. However he also stated “This definition has been with us for millennia and it’s very difficult for the court to say ‘well, we know better.’” Chief Justice John Roberts could also be a swing voter, but was careful not to give any indication of how he might vote. President Barack Obama's administration argued on the side of same-sex marriage advocates. A ruling is due in June and is likely to go down to the swing vote of one or two justices. It’s expected the Supreme Court will either legalise gay marriage throughout the US, or compel states with bans to recognise marriages from out of state.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Wednesday, 29th April 2015 - 8:10am