US Supreme Court fails again to decide on equal marriage cases

The US Supreme Court once again failed today to indicate whether it plans to hear multiple cases related to equal marriage.

On Monday, the court released an order list with no mention of the ten petitions pending review.

Last Friday, judges held a behind-closed-doors meeting to decide whether to accept the cases that challenge the federal Defence of Marriage Act (DOMA) and laws in a number of states where same-sex marriage is currently banned.

If in the end, the court decides to review the specifics of a state’s ban, it is likely to focus on the dispute over Proposition 8, the voter initiated constitutional amendment that banned gay couples from marrying in California.

It has been ruled as a ban that breaks the Californian constitution already, although it is the subject of an appeal.

After Monday, the next opportunity for the court to release an order could be after the nine justices meet in conference on Friday (7 December).

• Nov 29 2023

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