Supreme Court Hears Arguments in Gay Marriage Case
| |

Supreme Court Hears Arguments in Gay Marriage Case

Following the conclusion of oral arguments in Tuesday’s landmark U.S. Supreme Court hearing, advocates displayed cautious optimism that after years of legal wrangling, the U.S. legal system may finally support full marriage equality. “The case for the freedom to marry shone through at every turn in the argument, undimmed and undeniable,” said Freedom to Marry…

Anti-Gay ‘Religious Freedom’ Bill Passes Indiana House
|

Anti-Gay ‘Religious Freedom’ Bill Passes Indiana House

The Indiana House of Representatives passed a bill on Monday that would shield individuals, businesses and other organizations who object to a law based on their religion. The bill — which opponents call a “license to discriminate” and supporters call “religious freedom” — won the support of the Republican-controlled chamber. A Senate version of the…

Indiana ‘Religious Freedom’ Bill Permits Legal Entities to Sue for Damages
| |

Indiana ‘Religious Freedom’ Bill Permits Legal Entities to Sue for Damages

Indiana’s legislature is currently considering a number of so-called “religious freedom” bills that have arose in the months since the state was forced to begin recognizing same-sex marriages. Senate Bill 568 prohibits the state or local governments from passing laws that “compel a person to take an action that is contrary to the person’s exercise…

Supreme Court Clears Way for Marriage Equality in Alabama as State Judges Defy Court Order
| |

Supreme Court Clears Way for Marriage Equality in Alabama as State Judges Defy Court Order

The US Supreme Court has declined to issue a stay of a federal court ruling that Alabama’s same-sex marriage ban is unconstitutional, clearing the way for marriage equality in the state and possibly signaling their intent ahead of an expected June ruling that could legalize same-sex marriage in all 50 states. Judge Ginny Granade, an…

US Supreme Court Agrees to Hear Gay Marriage Case
| |

US Supreme Court Agrees to Hear Gay Marriage Case

The Supreme Court has agreed to take up a consolidated set of same-sex marriage cases that could settle the issue once and for all in the United States. According to the Huffington Post: Meeting behind closed doors on Friday, the nine justices decided to review a 2-1 decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for…

2014: The Year of Marriage Equality
| | |

2014: The Year of Marriage Equality

2014 will go down in history as the year of marriage equality. Same-sex marriage bans have fallen like dominoes across the United States since the Supreme Court ruled in 2013 that the Defense of Marriage Act was unconstitutional. Lower courts have used the rationale in the Windsor v. United States ruling to throw out marriage…

Federal Appeals Court Upholds Gay Marriage Ban in Four States
|

Federal Appeals Court Upholds Gay Marriage Ban in Four States

A federal appeals court has ruled that the gay marriage bans in four states are constitutional. The 6th Circuit Court of Appeals reversed rulings from lower courts that had legalized gay marriage in Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and Tennessee. It is the first time since the Supreme Court struck down the Defense of Marriage Act that…

Notre Dame Extends Benefits to Married Same-Sex Couples
|

Notre Dame Extends Benefits to Married Same-Sex Couples

The University of Notre Dame made a groundbreaking announcement via email to its employees on Wednesday. The Catholic university is extending benefits to same-sex spouses. The news comes during the same week that the Supreme Court effectively legalized same-sex marriage in Indiana and ten other states. Notre Dame’s employee email cited Indiana law, which now…

| | |

Supreme Court Clears Way for Marriage Equality in 30 States, Including Indiana

The United States Supreme Court declined appeals of same-sex marriage cases on Monday, paving the way for marriage equality in five states and boosting the chances in six others. Lower courts stuck down gay marriage bans in Indiana, Oklahoma, Utah, Virginia, and Wisconsin as unconstitutional. Appeals Courts — the second highest courts in the judicial…

| | |

Supreme Court Adds Indiana Gay Marriage Case to Fall Meeting

The United States Supreme Court is adding same-sex marriage appeals to the agenda of a September 29 meeting that will determine cases for the upcoming term. Five states have sought appeal to the Supreme Court after rulings in favor of marriage equality were reached in separate Appeals Court cases across the United States. Appeals Courts…