Obergefell v. Hodges

Definition

Obergefell v. Hodges is a landmark Supreme Court case decided in 2015 that established the constitutional right to same-sex marriage across the United States. The Court ruled that state bans on same-sex marriage and refusal to recognize lawful marriages performed in other jurisdictions violate the Fourteenth Amendment's guarantees of equal protection and due process. This case is a significant milestone in the ongoing struggle for LGBTQ+ rights and intersects with broader themes of privacy, civil liberties, and judicial interpretation.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The decision in Obergefell v. Hodges was delivered on June 26, 2015, by a 5-4 vote of the Supreme Court.
2. The case consolidated several challenges to state bans on same-sex marriage from Michigan, Kentucky, Ohio, and Tennessee.
3. Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote the majority opinion, emphasizing that marriage is a fundamental right inherent to the liberty of the person.
4. The ruling invalidated state-level prohibitions against same-sex marriage, requiring all states to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples and recognize those marriages performed in other states.
5. Obergefell v. Hodges marked a significant shift in American legal and cultural attitudes toward LGBTQ+ rights and marriage equality.

Review Questions

• How did Obergefell v. Hodges impact the interpretation of equal protection under the law?
  • Obergefell v. Hodges significantly expanded the interpretation of equal protection under the law by establishing that state bans on same-sex marriage are discriminatory and violate the Fourteenth Amendment. The ruling clarified that all individuals have the right to marry regardless of sexual orientation, reinforcing that equality before the law is a fundamental principle. This decision not only affected same-sex couples but also prompted discussions about how other civil rights might be interpreted and protected.
• What role did judicial interpretation play in the outcome of Obergefell v. Hodges?
  • Judicial interpretation was crucial in Obergefell v. Hodges as the Supreme Court justices assessed both historical context and contemporary values regarding marriage equality. The majority opinion highlighted that marriage is a fundamental right essential to individual dignity and autonomy, which reflects a living constitutional approach. By interpreting constitutional principles in light of evolving societal norms, the Court demonstrated how judicial interpretation can shape civil rights and adapt to modern understandings of equality.
• Critically analyze the broader implications of Obergefell v. Hodges for future legal decisions regarding civil rights.
  • Obergefell v. Hodges has broad implications for future legal decisions regarding civil rights by establishing a precedent for evaluating laws against standards of equality and individual liberty. The ruling may influence ongoing legal battles concerning LGBTQ+ rights, anti-discrimination laws, and other civil liberties by reinforcing that personal freedoms cannot be infringed upon based on sexual orientation. As society continues to evolve, this decision could pave the way for further advancements in civil rights protections and encourage more judicial activism regarding issues of social justice.

Related terms

Fourteenth Amendment: An amendment to the United States Constitution that grants citizenship rights and equal protection under the law to all persons, which played a central role in the Obergefell decision.

Civil Rights: The rights of individuals to receive equal treatment under the law regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, or other characteristics, which were affirmed by the Obergefell ruling.

Judicial Activism: The practice of judges making rulings based on personal opinion or social considerations rather than existing law, often associated with landmark decisions like Obergefell.