Over the next two days, the Justices of the Supreme Court will hear arguments about high-profile cases against California’s two gay marriage bans. The Hollingsworth v. Perry case is seeking to void the California gay marriage ban, Proposition 8, while the United States v. Windsor challenges the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). DOMA, which was signed by President Bill Clinton in 1996, defines marriage in federal law as a union between man and woman and has barred gay couples from numerous federal marital benefits. Clinton has since recanted his view on DOMA and wants the legislature overturned, claiming that the Act is “incompatible with the Constitution” and that he signed the legislature 17 years ago because it was a “different time”.
The Court is expected to hand down its decisions in June. The Court could advance gay rights, delay it, or strike the right of gays to marry altogether. So far, it seems many have been in favor that DOMA will be struck down. However, the predictions for the outcome on Proposition 8 are still uncertain.
Krysta Loera is a writer and researcher with Ring of Fire.
