Issue: 1) Does the Fourteenth Amendment require a state to license a marriage between two people of the same sex?
The first question presented to the Supreme Court was whether or not the constitution requires a state to license same-sex marriage. The Constitution in no way requires states and their citizens to license same sex marriage, yet the Supreme Court has ruled otherwise. By doing so, it has redefined an institution that has proven through the centuries to benefit humanity.
Redefining marriage has severe social and cultural repercussions that we can expect to see in the wake of this decision. Particular concerns arise as we consider how marriage affects children and parental rights. We know that children and families are stronger when a married, committed mother and father are present. Don’t our children at least deserve this? We’ve already seen the results of the disintegration of marriage. Redefining marriage to include same-sex partners will only lead us to further cultural instability.
2) Does the Fourteenth Amendment require a state to recognize a marriage between two people of the same sex when their marriage was lawfully licensed and performed out-of-state?
The second part of this decision has also undermined the Tenth Amendment. Voters in 31 States have already voted to keep the definition of marriage as one man and one woman. By disregarding this, the Supreme Court has overstepped its bounds. The Supreme Court should not be able to overrule the United States citizens with one case ruling. According to the ruling, States would need to recognize same sex marriages performed lawfully out-of-state regardless of the opinion of that State’s citizens.
While we are disappointed in the ruling, this is not the end of the debate. In fact, this is the beginning of larger discussion on marriage, family and the importance that both these issues have in our country’s well being.
Executive Director Bryan McCormack commented, “We are severely disappointed in the Supreme Court’s lack of respect for the millions of citizens across the United States who believe in traditional marriage. This was not the Supreme Court’s decision to make, however, we still remain hopeful. We remain hopeful in the health and goodness that marriage between a man and a woman bring to our state and our nation.”
