In a narrow 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court ruled that same sex couples can get married regardless of what state they live in. After decades of litigation that led up to this landmark ruling that covered cases filed by gay and lesbian couples in Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and Tennessee, the justices ruled that states cannot ban same-sex marriage meaning these bans are unconstitutional.
Supporters of the bans argued that same sex-unions did not constitute traditional marriage. Additionally, they argued the issue should be resolved at the state level either by the voters or their elected representatives rather than by judges. Writing for the majority, Justice Anthony Kennedy said: "The right to marry is a fundamental right inherent in the liberty of a person...under the due process and equal protection clauses of the 14th Amendment, couples of the same sex may not be deprived of that right and that liberty."
Prior to the ruling, 13 states prohibited same-sex marriage while 36 states permitted it either by legislation or court ruling (NY Times). Do you think the Supreme Court made the right decision?
A rainbow colored flag flies in front of the Supreme Court in Washington in April before arguments on the case in April, 2015.
Read the full opinion here: http://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/14pdf/14-556_3204.pdf