What SCOTUS Marriage Equality Means
SCOTUS marriage equality refers to the Supreme Court ruling that same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marry. The decision made same-sex marriage legal across all U.S. states and territories.
Obergefell v. Hodges and the Nationwide Right
In Obergefell v. Hodges, the Court held that state bans on same-sex marriage violated the 14th Amendment. The ruling required all states to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples and to recognize such marriages performed elsewhere.
Impact on Couples, Employers, and Federal Benefits
The decision gave same-sex married couples access to federal benefits, including tax filing, Social Security, and immigration sponsorship. Employers and insurers now generally must treat same-sex spouses the same as opposite-sex spouses under federal law.
For ongoing details, see the official Supreme Court opinion summary at Obergefell v. Hodges.
