Post date: Mar 26, 2013 5:47:29 PM
The Supreme Court takes up the thorny issue of issue of gay marriage for the first time, hearing arguments in a challenge to California's ban on same-sex marriage known as Proposition 8.
WASHINGTON, D.C., UNITED STATES (MARCH 26, 2013) (REUTERS / ART LIEN) - U.S. Supreme Court justices signaled on Tuesday (March 26) that they are reluctant to embrace a broad ruling finding a fundamental right to marriage for gays and lesbians across theUnited States.
As sign-waving demonstrators massed outside, the court completed more than an hour of oral argument on whether to let stand a California ban on same-sex marriage without indicating a clear path forward.Swing vote Justice Anthony Kennedy raised concerns about the court entering "uncharted waters" on an issue that divides the states.
Kennedy even raised the prospect of the court dismissing the case, a relatively unusual move that would leave intact a federal Appeals Court ruling that struck down the law, known as Proposition 8.
In a similar vein, Justice Samuel Alito also urged caution, noting that gay marriage as a concept is "newer than cellphones and the Internet."
None of the justices indicated support for the Obama administration's favored solution, which would strike down Proposition 8 and require the other eight states that already recognize civil unions or domestic partnerships to allow gays and lesbians to marry.