The cases of 14 couples and two widowers that challenged same-sex marriage bans in a variety of states came before the U.S. Supreme Court for its final decision this June. The Supreme Court addressed the issues of whether states should be compelled to perform same-sex marriages as a Fourteenth Amendment right based on due process and protection under this amendment. In addition, if not compelled to do so, the justices had to decide whether states have to honor same-sex marriages performed in other states.
In a 5-4 decision, the highest court in the United States ruled that states had to recognize same-sex marriages. CNN reported that the lead plaintiff in the case, Jim Obergefell, had married his spouse, John Astor, months before John died. They lived in Ohio, and to get married in Maryland, they flew aboard a medical jet. After John passed away, Obergefell was left fighting legal battles so he could be recognized as John’s spouse on the death certificate.
Two Detroit-area nurses who are a Michigan same-sex couple were also part of the 14 couples appealing their case to the Supreme Court. They took care of four special needs newborns, either abandoned or surrendered at birth. Because Michigan law required couples to be married to adopt, the same-sex couple was prevented from adopting the children, despite the fact they were providing them with foster care.
These are just a few examples of the combined cases that went before the Supreme Court in this decision. Although a close ruling, the Supreme Court’s finding concurred with public opinion as seen in recent polls. Polls showed that 61 percent of the U.S. population in the survey believed that same-sex couples should have the right to marry.
If you face legal issues as a same-sex couple, Chris Palermo is a compassionate and experienced Long Island divorce lawyer. He can protect your rights and is committed to obtaining a favorable case outcome on your behalf.