Summary
On June 26, 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court made a major decision, legalizing same-sex marriage across the country. This decision came from the Obergefell v. Hodges case, where James Obergefell and John Arthur sought legal recognition of their marriage in Ohio. The ruling depended on the U.S. Constitution's promise of equal protection and due process for all citizens.
Key Facts
- The Supreme Court ruling on June 26, 2015, legalized same-sex marriage across the U.S.
- The case, Obergefell v. Hodges, challenged Ohio's refusal to recognize a same-sex marriage on a death certificate.
- James Obergefell and John Arthur, from Ohio, married in Maryland due to Ohio's laws against same-sex marriage.
- The lawsuit argued that the U.S. Constitution's Fourteenth Amendment protects the right to marry.
- The Supreme Court's 5-4 decision stated that marriage is a fundamental right, protected by the Constitution.
- This ruling removed state-level bans on same-sex marriage and required states to recognize marriages from other places.
- The decision affected other areas like custody, property, taxes, and insurance.
- Same-sex marriages increased significantly after the ruling.
