Supreme Court takes up gay marriage
- 11 years ago
The Supreme Court took up the thorny issue of issue of gay marriage for the first time Tuesday hearing arguments in a challenge to California's ban on same-sex marriage known as Proposition 8.
David Bois represents the plaintiffs in the case.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) DAVID BOIES, LAWYER FOR THE PLAINTIFFS ARGUING AGAINST PROP 8, SAYING:
"I think the most remarkable thing that happened in there was that there was no attempt to defend the ban on gay and lesbian marriage. There was no indication of any harm. All that was said in there was that this important constitutional right ought to be decided on the state level as opposed to the federal government."'
On Wednesday the court will take up the Defense of Marriage Act, which limits marriage to opposite sex couples.
Over the two days of arguments, the justices will have their say on what gay activists see as a civil rights issue reminiscent of when the court invalidated bans on interracial marriage.
Ruling
David Bois represents the plaintiffs in the case.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) DAVID BOIES, LAWYER FOR THE PLAINTIFFS ARGUING AGAINST PROP 8, SAYING:
"I think the most remarkable thing that happened in there was that there was no attempt to defend the ban on gay and lesbian marriage. There was no indication of any harm. All that was said in there was that this important constitutional right ought to be decided on the state level as opposed to the federal government."'
On Wednesday the court will take up the Defense of Marriage Act, which limits marriage to opposite sex couples.
Over the two days of arguments, the justices will have their say on what gay activists see as a civil rights issue reminiscent of when the court invalidated bans on interracial marriage.
Ruling