Gay Marriage: How Should the Supreme Court Decide?

Can a state ban gay marriage?

That’s the question going before the United States Supreme Court this week as opponents of California’s Proposition 8, which effectively bans gay marriage, take their arguments to the highest court in the land. That proposition was approved by California voters in 2008, which was the same year Floridian’s passed a state constitutional amendment that prohibits gay marriage here.

The premise of the challenge is that the United States Constitution’s Equal Protection clause found in the 14^th Amendment effectively prohibits states like California (and Florida) from defining marriage as solely a union between man and woman.

If the case makes it through a technical hurdle, justices are expected to hear arguments this week and issue a ruling later this summer.

Gay marriage and couples’ rights have been hot-button topics in Tampa Bay as local governments tackle the issue of adopting domestic partner registries. Some governments have enacted such measures, which grant unwed couples some of the same rights married couples enjoy. Others have not.

What do you think Tampa Bay? How do you think the supreme court should decide? Do you think banning gay marriage violates constitutional rights? Share your thoughts in the comments section.