Supreme Court hears second gay marriage case
Reuters
2013-03-27
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For the second day running, the Supreme Court convened on Wednesday (March 27) to tackle the issue of gay marriage, this time to hear arguments over a U.S. law that denies federal benefits to legally married same-sex couples.
Almost two hours of oral argument will be heard by the court on the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). The nine justices heard arguments on Tuesday on the constitutionality of California's Proposition 8 ban on gay marriage.
In those arguments, the justices displayed a reluctance to rule broadly on the right to marry for gays and lesbians, suggesting the court may be similarly cautious about DOMA.
Rulings in both cases are expected by the end of June.
The cases come before the court as polls show growing support among Americans for gay marriage but division among the 50 states. Nine states recognize it; 30 states have constitutional amendments banning it and others are in-between.
DOMA limits the
For the second day running, the Supreme Court convened on Wednesday (March 27) to tackle the issue of gay marriage, this time to hear arguments over a U.S. law that denies federal benefits to legally married same-sex couples.
Almost two hours of oral argument will be heard by the court on the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). The nine justices heard arguments on Tuesday on the constitutionality of California's Proposition 8 ban on gay marriage.
In those arguments, the justices displayed a reluctance to rule broadly on the right to marry for gays and lesbians, suggesting the court may be similarly cautious about DOMA.
Rulings in both cases are expected by the end of June.
The cases come before the court as polls show growing support among Americans for gay marriage but division among the 50 states. Nine states recognize it; 30 states have constitutional amendments banning it and others are in-between.
DOMA limits the
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