The US Supreme Court (and Social Media) Tackles Same-Sex Marriage
For the past two days, Supreme Court justices have been hearing arguments for and against the two biggest laws concerning same-sex marriage—Proposition 8 (aka Prop 8) and the Defense of Marriage Act (aka DOMA). On Tuesday, the much-publicized Prop 8, which bans gay marriage in California, was challenged in high court, as several people gathered outside the court with signs of support and opposition.
By Marlisse Cepeda
Voted into law in 2008, the headline-making Prop 8 divided the justices on issues regarding state and federal law. A decision on Prop 8 could mean either overturning state laws that prohibit same-sex matrimony or continuing to allow states to make their own marriage laws. Although a decision likely won't come until June, so far, four out of nine justices favor California allowing same-sex marriages.
Today, day two of arguments regarding same-sex marriage, the court deliberated over DOMA, which became law in 1996. Signed by Bill Clinton—who now thinks it should be overturned—the act defines marriage as between a man and a woman, thus denying legal protections (from Social Security to pensions) to any gay and lesbian couples, even if they're married in states where same-sex marriage is legal.
The case, formally called, United States v. Windsor, involves Edith Windsor, who sued the federal government after the IRS cited DOMA as a reason to refuse to refund the more than $360,000 she paid in federal estate taxes after her wife of six years, Thea Spyer, passed away. Although their home state of New York legally recognizes their marriage, DOMA stands in the way of the federal government recognizing their union. A favorable decision for Windsor would change the way American law views and treats marriage. After an 80-minute session, it seems the fate of DOMA is shaky, at best. According to the official Twitter account of the US Supreme Court, the justices are 80% likely to overturn the act.
Meanwhile, supporters of same-sex marriages painted social media red yesterday. In an initiative started by the Human Rights Campaign, Facebook and Twitter users across the nation changed their profile pictures to red-and-pink equal signs, as a symbol for marriage equality. Celebrities, congress members and even big businesses, like Bud Light, have since showcased the symbol on their pages.
Do you think the social media campaign will have any bearing on the justices' decision?
Marlisse Cepeda Web Editor Marlisse is the Web Editor of WomansDay.com, and she hails from Bronx, NY.
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