Same-sex marriage

Where the Supreme Court debate stands now

The Supreme Court heard historic arguments on April 28 over the right of gay and lesbian couples to marry. Same-sex couples can now marry in 36 states and the District of Columbia, but the court is determining whether these unions should be allowed in all 50 states. Couples from four states — Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and Tennessee — are challenging their states' laws that either ban or refuse to recognize their marriages.

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

In its most basic form, the court is weighing this question: Do states' prohibitions against same-sex marriages violate the 14th Amendment's guarantee of equal protection under the law? (A second argument centered on whether states that ban gay marriage have to recognize those marriages performed in other states.)The court will issue its decision in June, leaving everyone to try to read the tea leaves in the meantime. Here's what the nine justices had to say during oral arguments.

THE SWING VOTE

THE CONSERVATIVES

THE LIBERALS