Same sex marriage is now legal in the
entire US after a Supreme Court ruling striking down state marriage bans.
The ruling means all US states must grant
marriage licences to gay and lesbian couples and recognise marriages that have
taken place in other states.
So how did we get to this point?
In 1996,
the US Congress passed and President Bill Clinton signed the Defense of
Marriage Act, a law that prohibited federal recognition of same-sex marriages.
In 2003, Massachusetts judges ruled the state constitution
allowed gay marriage, and marriage licences followed shortly after that. In the
following years, a handful of states passed gay marriage bans while others
began working towards allowing same-sex unions - either by court order or
legislation.
One high-profile ban occurred by referendum in California in
2008 after courts had previously allowed same-sex marriage.
This continued across the US until the Supreme Court heard a
challenge to the Defense of Marriage Act in 2013.
What did justices have to
decide in this case?
A
critical turning point came in October 2014, when the Supreme Court chose not
to hear appeals against lower court rulings that had overturned same-sex
marriage bans - expanding the legality of gay unions to many more states.
In other states, same-sex marriage has been approved either
through legislation or voter referenda.
Michigan couples were briefly able to marry before a court
stayed a ruling overturning its ban.
What have been the key Supreme
Court rulings?
On 6 October 2014, the court turned away appeals from five
states with gay marriage bans on the books that had challenged court rulings
overturning those bans.
In challenging the gay marriage bans, proponents relied on a
2013 Supreme Court ruling in the case of United States v Windsor.
Under Doma, for example, individuals in same-sex marriages were
ineligible for benefits from federal programmes such as the Social Security
pension system and some tax allowances if their partners died.
Another key case, Hollingsworth v Perry of 2013, was filed by
two lawyers, Theodore Olson and David Boies, working together on behalf of
their California clients, Kristin Perry and Sandra Stier and another couple,
Jeffrey Zarrillo and Paul Katami.
They argued that the Supreme Court should strike down a state
law, called Proposition 8, which stated that marriage is between a man and a
woman. The law, approved by California voters in 2008, overrode a state Supreme
Court decision that allowed for same-sex marriage.
What is next?
Marriages will continue as before in the 36 states. The
remaining states will have to issue licences, although it is unclear how long
they have to comply with the court's ruling. However, there were reports of
court clerk offering licences only an hour after the Supreme Court decision.
Structure of the Lead：
WHO- American
WHEN-2015.06.26
WHAT-Same sex
marriage is now legal in the entire US
WHY- Supreme Court ruling striking down state marriage bans
WHERE- United States
HOW- The United
States will allow Same sex marriage
Most of the foreign people are Christian or Catholic faith. Because of the religion, there are a lot of people are against homosexuality. Therefore, the United States and other countries agree to open same-sex marriage that is how great a thing. We have to respect the different love. Although they may seem different but they just like us have a love for each other. One day I hope that Taiwan also has open.
回覆刪除I am glad that same sex marriage is legal in the US. I think everyone has the right
回覆刪除to choose who is the best person for them. Homosexuals should not be thought as
monsters. They are normal people just like us. There are still many countries don't
allow this situation happens. But I believe they will change their minds in the future.
It is wonderful for gay and lesbian couples to hear that. What's more, it is a inspiring example for those people who expect their country can accept same sex marriages, too. Though there are some people didn't agree, the government in the U.S.A not just listen to the opponents.
回覆刪除