Obergefell v. Hodges
Same-sex marriage ruling
Obergefell v.
Hodges is the 2015 U.S.
Supreme Court case that established a constitutional right to same-sex marriage nationwide.
The 5-4 decision held that the Fourteenth Amendment requires states to license and recognize marriages between same-sex couples.
The case name comes from lead plaintiff Jim Obergefell, who sued Ohio to be listed as surviving spouse on his husband's death certificate: The ruling in Obergefell made marriage equality the law of the land.
Notable point of reference
- precedentPrior authoritative example
- majority opinionPosition most hold
- dissentDisagreement with authority
- KennedyIrish-origin surname, political dynasty
constitutional · Fourteenth Amendment · due process · equal protection · SCOTUS · judicial review · oral arguments · petitioner
Same legal wedlock for all
- same-sex marriageWedlock between like genders
- gay marriageMatrimony between same-sex partners
- civil unionLegal spousal alternative
- domestic partnershipNonmarital cohabiting relationship
gay rights · lesbian · homosexual · queer · pride · love · recognition · dignity
Same status for all
- discriminationUnjust differential treatment
- activismDirect effort for reform
- libertyAbsence of unjust constraint
- dignityInnate personal worth
fundamental right · legal recognition · protection · inclusion · advocacy · milestone · progress · social change
Federal same-sex marriage ban
- WindsorBritish monarchy's surname
- marriage licenseLegal authorization to wed
- birth certificateOfficial record of arrival
- death certificateOfficial record of passing
survivor benefits · spousal rights · immigration · inheritance · hospital visitation · parental rights · federal benefits · religious exemptions
landmark
Notable point of reference
- precedentPrior authoritative example
- majority opinionPosition most hold
- dissentDisagreement with authority
Kennedy · constitutional · Fourteenth Amendment · due process · equal protection · SCOTUS · judicial review · oral arguments · petitioner · respondent
marriage equality
Same legal wedlock for all
- same-sex marriageWedlock between like genders
- gay marriageMatrimony between same-sex partners
- civil unionLegal spousal alternative
domestic partnership · gay rights · lesbian · homosexual · queer · pride · love · recognition · dignity · identity
equality
Same status for all
- discriminationUnjust differential treatment
- activismDirect effort for reform
- libertyAbsence of unjust constraint
dignity · fundamental right · legal recognition · protection · inclusion · advocacy · milestone · progress · social change · historic
Defense of Marriage Act
Federal same-sex marriage ban
- WindsorBritish monarchy's surname
- marriage licenseLegal authorization to wed
- birth certificateOfficial record of arrival
death certificate · survivor benefits · spousal rights · immigration · inheritance · hospital visitation · parental rights · federal benefits · religious exemptions · implementation
- Supreme Court CasesMarbury v. Madison, Brown v Board, Brown v. Board, Roe v Wade, Roe v. Wade
Obergefell v. HodgesDefense of Marriage Act
Federal same-sex marriage ban
Obergefell v. HodgesPlessy v. Ferguson
Ruling allowing racial separation
Obergefell v. Hodgessodomy laws
Statutes criminalizing particular sexual behaviors