Supreme Court decides to hear same-sex marriage cases
By Daily Bruin Staff
Dec. 7, 2012 1:54 p.m.
The nation’s highest court decided today to take up two cases regarding same-sex marriage, an announcement that has long been awaited by critics and proponents of same-sex marriage.
One of the cases is California’s own Proposition 8, a measure that outlaws same-sex marriage in the state. It was approved by California voters in 2008.
A federal appeals court struck down the law in California and ruled it unconstitutional in February. A “staying order,” however, issued by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals following the decision, halted the unconstitutional ruling, leaving the proposition intact for the time being.
In July, Proposition 8 supporters filed a petition with the Supreme Court, asking the court to review the case in hopes of having the measure reinstated.
Now, the Supreme Court will hear the case and decide on whether the 14th Amendment prohibits California from passing such a ban.
The Court has also decided to hear the Defense of Marriage Act, a 1996 federal act that denies federal recognition to same-sex marriages in states that have legalized the practice. Federal appeals courts in Massachusetts and New York have struck down the law in their states.
The court plans to start hearing both cases in spring 2013, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Compiled by Katherine Hafner, Bruin senior staff.
