Supreme Court Ruling on Same-Sex Marriage
In June 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Obergefell v. Hodges that same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marry under the Fourteenth Amendment. The decision required all states to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples and to recognize such marriages performed in other states.
Impact on Federal and State Law
Following the ruling, federal agencies updated policies to extend benefits to same-sex married couples, including tax filing, immigration, and Social Security recognition. States that previously banned same-sex marriage were required to comply, ending a patchwork of state-level laws across the country.
Current Status and Public Opinion
As of 2024, same-sex marriage remains legal nationwide, and public support has continued to grow. Polls consistently show majority approval among U.S. adults, and no major legislative efforts have reversed the Supreme Court’s decision.
For more details on the ruling and its legal implications, see the official Supreme Court opinion summary at supremecourt.gov.
