# Supreme Court \[declines to hear\] same sex marriage cases.\[plus further developments (Ed.)\] **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [October 6, 2014, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supreme-court-declines-to-hear-same-sex-marriage-cases-plus-further-developments-ed/700544 "2014-10-06T13:50:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 23
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2015, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supreme-court-declines-to-hear-same-sex-marriage-cases-plus-further-developments-ed/700544/441 "2015-02-11T16:05:08Z")
I meant in favor of equal protection, not in favor of the plaintiffs. Sorry. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2015, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supreme-court-declines-to-hear-same-sex-marriage-cases-plus-further-developments-ed/700544/442 "2015-02-11T16:06:51Z")
The plaintiffs _are_ the challengers; that is, the ones asserting the equal protection argument. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2015, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supreme-court-declines-to-hear-same-sex-marriage-cases-plus-further-developments-ed/700544/443 "2015-02-11T16:13:31Z")
> [@Zakalwe](#): > > It’s possible that his thinking has evolved on the subject. Perhaps the rising, now majority, support has weakened the “traditional definition of marriage” in his mind. I know that I, a long-time supporter of SSM, am personally stunned by just how fast public opinion has moved on this subject. Much faster, in fact, than interracial marriage ever moved. Maybe back at _Windsor_, he didn’t support it personally or judicially, but also saw which way the wind was blowing and didn’t want to box himself in on any future decision (strategic rather than tactical thinking). Regarding “evolution of opinion”… David Axelrod just admitted that President Obama lied in 2008 when he claimed to oppose SSM, which means he also lied in 2012 when he claimed his opinion “evolved” in 2012 when he supported it. There’s a Post article (behind a paywall, I think) that notes 14 major Democrats in Congress having the same “evolution” within a 22-day period. My only point is that there’s a lot more reason for elected officials to have such “evolutions” than for life-term justices. I’ve seen very little evolution of thought among those 9. I think that if any of them appear to change votes, it will be because some of the lower court decisions were so solidly grounded and written that they can’t find a wedge to argue against them. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2015, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supreme-court-declines-to-hear-same-sex-marriage-cases-plus-further-developments-ed/700544/444 "2015-02-11T16:17:34Z")
Can one’s opinion evolve if one doesn’t believe in evolution? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2015, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supreme-court-declines-to-hear-same-sex-marriage-cases-plus-further-developments-ed/700544/445 "2015-02-11T16:21:41Z")
Sure. God can wave his hand and make it so. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2015, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supreme-court-declines-to-hear-same-sex-marriage-cases-plus-further-developments-ed/700544/446 "2015-02-11T16:32:56Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Can one’s opinion evolve if one doesn’t believe in evolution? 😃 Well, I’ve got my doubts about them being intelligently designed, that’s for sure. ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2015, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supreme-court-declines-to-hear-same-sex-marriage-cases-plus-further-developments-ed/700544/447 "2015-02-12T22:45:59Z")
[Followup order to Mobile County.](http://images.dailykos.com/images/128990/large/Screen_Shot_2015-02-12_at_2.05.46_PM.png) ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2015, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supreme-court-declines-to-hear-same-sex-marriage-cases-plus-further-developments-ed/700544/448 "2015-02-12T23:19:33Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Can one’s opinion evolve if one doesn’t believe in evolution? 😃 It can only micro-evolve. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2015, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supreme-court-declines-to-hear-same-sex-marriage-cases-plus-further-developments-ed/700544/449 "2015-02-19T19:25:11Z")
Texas just had their first same sex marriage! A judge issued and order to a county clerk to perform it. The order was limited to the one clerk for one couple only so it may be a while until the next one. In other news, the predicted pandemonium and confusion has not seemed to happen in the Lone Star State much to everyone’s relief. > **[Equality on Trial](https://www.equalityontrial.com/2015/02/19/state-judge-texas-strikes-states-sex-marriage-ban-couple-receives-marriage-license/)** > > Marriage license issued to same-sex couple in Texas. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2015, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supreme-court-declines-to-hear-same-sex-marriage-cases-plus-further-developments-ed/700544/450 "2015-02-19T19:32:56Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > It can only micro-evolve. And stay within the same baramin. ---
**Author:** ![Ambrosio\_Spinola](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9de0a6/32.png) [@Ambrosio\_Spinola](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambrosio_Spinola)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2015, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supreme-court-declines-to-hear-same-sex-marriage-cases-plus-further-developments-ed/700544/451 "2015-03-04T13:28:54Z")
The Alabama Supreme Court has stepped in and [issued an order](https://sblog.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Alabama-marriage-state-SCt-ruling-3-3-15.pdf) which requires all state probate courts to disobey the federal district court order and refuse marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Could be some interesting fireworks here. ---
**Author:** ![yellowjacketcoder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/4bbf92/32.png) [@yellowjacketcoder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yellowjacketcoder)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2015, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supreme-court-declines-to-hear-same-sex-marriage-cases-plus-further-developments-ed/700544/452 "2015-03-04T13:46:31Z")
> [@Ambrosio\_Spinola](#): > > The Alabama Supreme Court has stepped in and [issued an order](https://sblog.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Alabama-marriage-state-SCt-ruling-3-3-15.pdf) which requires all state probate courts to disobey the federal district court order and refuse marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Could be some interesting fireworks here. If by interesting fireworks, you mean Roy Moore is _trying_ to get himself removed from the bench _again_, then I agree with you. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2015, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supreme-court-declines-to-hear-same-sex-marriage-cases-plus-further-developments-ed/700544/453 "2015-03-04T14:06:35Z")
It’s the whole court this time. All Republicans. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2015, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supreme-court-declines-to-hear-same-sex-marriage-cases-plus-further-developments-ed/700544/454 "2015-03-04T16:07:39Z")
Shaw dissented. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2015, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supreme-court-declines-to-hear-same-sex-marriage-cases-plus-further-developments-ed/700544/455 "2015-03-04T17:10:02Z")
Well, this should be fun. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2015, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supreme-court-declines-to-hear-same-sex-marriage-cases-plus-further-developments-ed/700544/456 "2015-03-26T14:01:30Z")
Longtime _NYT_ SCOTUS correspondent Linda Greenhouse spoke recently at the City Club of Cleveland, and predicted the court will make SSM a Federal right this year: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/0X7ngWDkzMU/hqdefault.jpg "Linda Greenhouse 3.20.2015") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0X7ngWDkzMU) ---
**Author:** ![Ambrosio\_Spinola](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9de0a6/32.png) [@Ambrosio\_Spinola](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambrosio_Spinola)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2015, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supreme-court-declines-to-hear-same-sex-marriage-cases-plus-further-developments-ed/700544/457 "2015-03-26T16:01:13Z")
Also an interesting development in Puerto Rico. The territorial government had a response brief due in the First Circuit, and [abandoned their defense](http://www.scribd.com/doc/259416947/14-2184-Puerto-Rico-s-Brief) of the statute banning gay marriage, and asked the First Circuit to rule against them. Doesn’t happen that often. Still, with the Supreme Court hearing the Sixth Circuit cases next month and presumably a definitive decision to follow by the end of term, there’s just not all that much more to say. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2015, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supreme-court-declines-to-hear-same-sex-marriage-cases-plus-further-developments-ed/700544/458 "2015-04-24T22:23:50Z")
Meanwhile, in Texas (and Arkansas, Nebraska, and Louisiana) there is a challenge to the Department of Labor’s proposed rule change that would bring the definition of “spouse” under the FMLA in line with _Windsor_. The Northern District of Texas [has granted a temporary injunction](http://www.dol.gov/whd/fmla/TexasvsPerez.pdf) barring enforcement of the proposed rule. ---
**Author:** ![Ambrosio\_Spinola](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9de0a6/32.png) [@Ambrosio\_Spinola](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambrosio_Spinola)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2015, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supreme-court-declines-to-hear-same-sex-marriage-cases-plus-further-developments-ed/700544/459 "2015-04-25T22:39:38Z")
And as long as we’re bumping this, the territory of Guam denied a lesbian couple a marriage license, and they sued. The attorney general of Guam [stated that the territory should allow same sex marriage](http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2015/04/14/world/ap-us-guam-gay-marriage.html?_r=0). Then the governor of Guam [overruled her](http://www.lgbtqnation.com/2015/04/guam-governor-refuses-to-allow-marriage-licenses-for-same-sex-couples/). Since Guam is in the 9th Circuit where the legal status of SSM is perfectly clear, this shouldn’t take long - but the local district court might just sit on it until the Supreme Court rules. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2015, 11:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supreme-court-declines-to-hear-same-sex-marriage-cases-plus-further-developments-ed/700544/460 "2015-04-26T11:19:03Z")
At this point it really does seem best for everyone to hold their breaths until SCOTUS rules. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supreme-court-declines-to-hear-same-sex-marriage-cases-plus-further-developments-ed/700544.md?page=22) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supreme-court-declines-to-hear-same-sex-marriage-cases-plus-further-developments-ed/700544.md?page=24)