What the Supreme Court Move on Gay Marriage Means
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iStock/Thinkstock(WASHINGTON) — In a move that surprised almost everyone, the Supreme Court Monday decided that it would not hear any of the gay marriage cases currently before it — dramatically expanding the number of states that allow gay marriage.
The decision means that, for now, the Supreme Court has sent the message it doesn’t want to step into the debate regarding gay marriage. It also means that same sex couples in Indiana, Virginia, Utah, Oklahoma and Wisconsin will be able to marry in short order.
The move directly affects the five states, but other states in those jurisdiction will also be affected — possibly bringing the number of states that allow gay marriage up to 30. It sends a strong signal that the Supreme Court wants this issue to percolate in the states.
Why is this a surprise? Because the Court has twice stepped in and stopped marriages from going forward pending the appeal.
In a news release, Human Rights Campaign said the decision was “joyous” for thousands of couples across the country, but said it did want the issue to eventually be decided nationally.
“Let let me be clear,” said Human Rights Campaign President Chad Griffin. “The complex and discriminatory patchwork of marriage laws that was prolonged today by the Supreme Court is unsustainable. The only acceptable solution is nationwide marriage equality and we recommit to ourselves to securing that.”
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