Obergefell v. Hodges

Definition

Obergefell v. Hodges is a landmark Supreme Court case decided in 2015 that legalized same-sex marriage across the United States. The ruling held that state-level bans on same-sex marriage and the refusal to recognize such marriages performed in other jurisdictions violated the Fourteenth Amendment's guarantees of equal protection and due process. This case significantly advanced the rights of LGBT individuals and set a legal precedent for equality in marriage.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Obergefell v. Hodges decision was issued on June 26, 2015, by a 5-4 vote from the Supreme Court.
2. The ruling was based on the principles of dignity, equality, and the fundamental right to marry, which were emphasized by Justice Anthony Kennedy in the majority opinion.
3. Obergefell v. Hodges overturned previous decisions and state laws that had restricted marriage to opposite-sex couples, leading to a significant change in marriage laws across the country.
4. Following this ruling, many states quickly began to comply with the decision, allowing same-sex couples to marry and ensuring their marriages were recognized nationwide.
5. The case solidified the legal foundation for future LGBT rights cases by affirming that same-sex couples have the same rights as heterosexual couples.

Review Questions

• How did Obergefell v. Hodges challenge existing legal norms regarding marriage in the United States?
  • Obergefell v. Hodges challenged existing legal norms by directly contesting state-level bans on same-sex marriage and asserting that these bans were unconstitutional. The Supreme Court's ruling emphasized that marriage is a fundamental right inherent to the liberty of individuals, regardless of sexual orientation. This decision not only invalidated numerous state laws but also fundamentally altered societal perceptions of marriage and equality under the law.
• Discuss the implications of Obergefell v. Hodges for LGBT rights and how it influenced public policy.
  • The implications of Obergefell v. Hodges for LGBT rights were profound, as it marked a pivotal moment in the struggle for equality. By recognizing same-sex marriage as a constitutional right, the ruling strengthened legal protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation. It also encouraged public policy shifts at local, state, and federal levels, leading to greater acceptance and integration of LGBT individuals into various aspects of public life.
• Evaluate how Obergefell v. Hodges fits within the broader historical context of civil rights movements in America.
  • Obergefell v. Hodges fits within the broader historical context of civil rights movements by serving as a culmination of decades of activism advocating for LGBT rights. This case is similar to previous landmark rulings like Brown v. Board of Education and Loving v. Virginia, which addressed racial discrimination and interracial marriage, respectively. By affirming the right to marry for same-sex couples, Obergefell contributed to the ongoing dialogue about equality and civil rights in America, highlighting both progress made and challenges that remain for marginalized communities.

Related terms

Fourteenth Amendment:

An amendment to the U.S. Constitution that provides equal protection under the law and prohibits states from denying any person life, liberty, or property without due process.

LGBT Rights: The legal and social rights that support equality for individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer.

DOMA (Defense of Marriage Act): A law enacted in 1996 that defined marriage as the union of one man and one woman for federal purposes and allowed states to refuse recognition of same-sex marriages performed in other states.