The last time states asked the Supreme Court to rule on the issue, but the Court said no and let the lower court rulings stand. Justice Ginsburg was later quoted as saying that there was no rush because all the appeals courts were agreeing.
Now that the 6th Circuit which controls Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee UPHELD marriage bans, there's a disagreement between appeals courts which may be key to getting the Supremes to rule once and for all.
- The cases:
- Michigan - Couples suing for marriage and centered a lot on adoption. After the marriage ban was struck down, some 300 couples married because there was no stay in place while the state freaked out. The Governor has now deemed those marriages as "void".
- Kentucky - Won against the full marriage ban, but it was stayed so no one got married.
- Ohio - Won a case to recognize out-of-state marriages and that is what the state is trying to stop.
- Tennessee - A handful of couples won a case to have their out-of-state marriages recognized because their spouses are dying. Can you believe the state government is trying to appeal that?
- Possible outcomes:
- The Supreme Court may still not want to hear a case which means the 6th Circuit ruling stands and couples will have to re-file lawsuits from the beginning.
- The Supreme Court may side with couples and make the dozen or so holdouts have marriage equality
- The Supreme Court may side with states and say it's up to each to make their own law.
- The Supreme Court may limit any ruling, positive or negative, to only those four states.
The upheld bans and appeals are just in time for the Supreme Court to rule on in June 2015 if they take a case so let's hope for the best, everyone