Obergefell v. Hodges

Definition

Obergefell v. Hodges was a landmark Supreme Court case decided in 2015 that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide in the United States. The ruling affirmed that state bans on same-sex marriage and refusal to recognize legal marriages performed in other jurisdictions violated the Constitution's Equal Protection and Due Process Clauses, establishing marriage as a fundamental right for all individuals regardless of sexual orientation.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The case was named after Jim Obergefell, who sued the state of Ohio for the right to be listed as a spouse on his deceased partner's death certificate.
2. The Supreme Court ruled in a 5-4 decision, with Justice Anthony Kennedy writing the majority opinion, emphasizing dignity and equality.
3. The decision not only legalized same-sex marriage but also required states to recognize marriages performed elsewhere, reinforcing interstate recognition.
4. Obergefell v. Hodges built upon previous cases like United States v. Windsor, which had already invalidated parts of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).
5. The ruling ignited further debates on religious freedom and LGBTQ+ rights, leading to ongoing discussions about discrimination and legal protections for same-sex couples.

Review Questions

• How did Obergefell v. Hodges expand upon previous rulings regarding marriage equality in the United States?
  • Obergefell v. Hodges built upon earlier rulings such as United States v. Windsor, which struck down key provisions of DOMA and set a precedent for recognizing same-sex marriages. The Supreme Court's decision in Obergefell extended these protections nationwide, declaring that state-level bans on same-sex marriage violated both the Equal Protection and Due Process Clauses of the Constitution. This expansion underscored a growing recognition of marriage as a fundamental right for all individuals, regardless of sexual orientation.
• What were the major constitutional arguments presented in Obergefell v. Hodges regarding equal protection and due process?
  • In Obergefell v. Hodges, advocates for marriage equality argued that state bans on same-sex marriage denied individuals their constitutional rights under the Equal Protection and Due Process Clauses of the 14th Amendment. They contended that these bans discriminated against same-sex couples by denying them the same legal recognition and benefits afforded to opposite-sex couples. The Supreme Court ultimately agreed, asserting that marriage is a fundamental right integral to individual autonomy and dignity, thus requiring equal access for all.
• Evaluate the broader societal impacts of the Obergefell v. Hodges ruling on LGBTQ+ rights and related policy debates in subsequent years.
  • The Obergefell v. Hodges ruling significantly impacted LGBTQ+ rights by establishing a legal foundation for marriage equality across the United States. This landmark decision not only validated the relationships of same-sex couples but also catalyzed ongoing discussions about broader civil rights protections, including employment non-discrimination and health care access. In subsequent years, debates have emerged around balancing these rights with religious freedoms, highlighting how Obergefell has become a pivotal reference point in both legal arguments and social movements aimed at achieving full equality for LGBTQ+ individuals.

Related terms

Equal Protection Clause: A provision of the 14th Amendment that requires states to provide equal protection under the law to all persons within their jurisdictions.

Same-Sex Marriage: The legal union of two people of the same sex in a marriage recognized by the state, which was a contentious issue leading up to the Obergefell decision.

Due Process Clause: A clause in the 14th Amendment that prohibits states from denying any person life, liberty, or property without due process of law, which was central to the arguments in Obergefell.