U.S. Supreme Court to Hear Same-Sex Marriage Cases

Heated debates have raged for years on the federal, state and local levels over governmental recognition of same-sex marriage. 

Now, the U.S. Supreme Court will enter the fray, the Washington Post reported Friday.

According to the Post, the "(Supreme Court) will consider whether California’s ban on same-sex marriage is constitutional and whether Congress may withhold federal benefits from legally married same-sex couples by defining marriage as only between a man and a woman."

USA Today reports the justices will likely hear these two cases by early 2013. 

Cuyahoga Falls entered the regional and national spotlight last winter when Falls native Shane May and his husband Coty weren't allowed to purchase discounted "w/spouse" Natatorium gym memberships.

According to the Cuyahoga Falls Parks and Recreation Board, the Mays' Washington D.C.-based marriage wasn't recognized because the Nat's rate structure is aligned with the Ohio Constitution, which doesn't recognize gay marriage.

After a contentious debate involving the city's officials, residents and elected leaders, the board voted in May to uphold the existing rate structure. 

Nine states -- Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Iowa, Vermont, Washington, and Washington D.C. -- have legalized gay marriage. 

31 states have constitutional amendments banning gay marriage. Six states have laws banning it.

In related news, the Freedom to Marry Coalition is attempting to gather 385,000 valid signatures of Ohio voters in order to put its marriage equality amendment on the November 2013 ballot. If the amendment makes it on the ballot and if it's passed by voters, Ohio would join the handful of states that recognize gay marriage.

"Ohio voters overwhelmingly supported an amendment banning gay marriage and health benefits for public employees in domestic partnerships in 2004," reports the Huffington Post. 

How do you think the U.S. Supreme Court should proceed? Should gay marriage be recognized in Ohio? Tell us in the Comments!