Obergefell v. Hodges
Case Dates
Granted : Jan. 16, 2015
Argued : April 28, 2015
Decided : June 26, 2015
Case Facts
- Same-sex couples sued their sued their state agencies in OH, MI, KY, and TN to challenge the state's ban on same-sex marriage.
- The plaintiffs in each case argued that the states violated the 'Equal Protection Clause'
- In all cases, the trial court was in favor of the plaintiffs.
- The U.S. Court of Appeals overlooked the trial cases and felt that that the stated did not violate the couples rights.
Question(s)
1. Does the Fourteenth Amendment require a state to license a marriage between two people of the same sex?
2. Does the Fourteenth Amendment require another state to recognize a same-sex marriage that was legalized in another state.
Constitutional Section(s)
The couples believed that it violated the 'Equal Protection Clause' and the 'Due Process Clause' of the 14th amendment.
Courts Decision
Impact on Citizens
- The court felt that the due process clause guarantees the right to marry as one of the fundamental liberties.
- The court felt same-sex marriage is equal to marriage of opposite-sex
- Court believed it protects the association between two people by allowing them to raise and create a family; it maintains social order.
- It made the LGGBT+ community feel more welcomed and accepted.
- Have easier time starting and growing a family.
- People it didn't effect directly may not have agreed on the choice. But, it was more of an advantage than an inconvenience.