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Northwestern University
Professor of Law at Northwestern University and author of Same Sex, Different States: When Same-Sex Marriages Cross State Lines
PROFILE
Andrew Koppelman
Guest
FROM Andrew Koppelman
To the Point
Judge Allows Same-Sex Marriages to Start in Florida Miami-Dade today became the first county in Florida to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Tomorrow, the rest of the state will be able to follow suit. This morning, state Judge Sarah Zabel lifted a legal stay on a sweeping decision she made last July — declaring a voter-passed ban on same-sex unions discriminatory. Andrew Koppelman is a professor of law at Northwestern University.
To the Point
Same-Sex Marriage: The US Supreme Court and the States Two weeks ago, Justice Anthony Kennedy used soaring rhetoric to declare the Defense of Marriage Act, which defined marriage as between a man and a women, violated the Constitution. But that only applied to denying federal benefits to same-sex couples. Gay marriage, he said, is up to the states, and only 13 states have made it legal — while it's banned in 29 state constitutions. (The Court also restored same-sex marriage in California.) In a scathing dissent, Justice Antonin Scalia predicted that state bans on same-sex marriage would soon be ended. We hear how Kennedy's conflicted ruling has led to state-by-state battles, in a war that may not end until another US Supreme Court decision.
Which Way, L.A.?
US Supreme Court to Consider Legalizing Gay Marriage In this month's elections, several states legalized same-sex marriage . Advocates are looking at seven others to add to the growing number. But next week, the US Supreme Court is set to decide whether it should take up the issue. Andrew Koppelman is Professor of law at Northwestern University and the author of Same Sex, Different States : When Same Sex Marriages Cross State Lines.
To the Point
US Supreme Court to Consider Legalizing Gay Marriage In this month's elections, several states legalized same-sex marriage . Advocates are looking at seven others to add to the growing number. But next week, the US Supreme Court is set to decide whether it should take up the issue. Andrew Koppelman is Professor of law at Northwestern University and the author of Same Sex, Different States : When Same Sex Marriages Cross State Lines.
Which Way, L.A.?
Proposition 8 Goes to Federal Court In 2008, the State Supreme Court revoked a law declaring same-sex marriage illegal in California. Months later, the voters passed Proposition 8 , overturning the court decision. In the meantime, 15,000 same sex couples were married. Next Monday in San Francisco, Prop 8 will be challenged as a violation of rights protected by the constitution of the United States.
Which Way, L.A.?
The Fast Track to Same-Sex Marriage Last week the Washington, DC City Council voted 12-to-1 to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other jurisdictions. The lone “no” vote came from a former civil rights leader who was called a “bigot” by a gay council colleague. A group of African-American ministers stormed the hallway outside, and police were called in to restore order. Same-Sex Marriage Legislation/Court Decisions: Vermont Legislature (TtP on) Massachusetts Supreme Court (TtP on) Connecticut Supreme Court Iowa Supreme Court Maine Legislature California Supreme Court Passage of California's Prop 8, court appeals to (Which Way, L.A.? on)
To the Point
The Fast Track to Same-Sex Marriage Civil unions for gays and lesbians were recognized less than 10 years ago. Now, same-sex marriage is on the agenda in many parts of the country. First it was state courts. More recently, state legislatures have decided that gay and lesbian couples have the right to same-sex marriage. Last week the Washington, DC City Council voted 12-to-1 to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other jurisdictions. Why so fast? Are homosexual couples now seen as part of mainstream society, or are courts and legislatures recognizing their right to be different? Why do black leaders object so strongly when gays and lesbians use the language of civil rights? What strategies are being used to keep the momentum going? What are backers of traditional marriage doing to slow it down? Same-Sex Marriage Legislation/Court Decisions: Vermont Legislature (TtP on) Massachusetts Supreme Court (TtP on) Connecticut Supreme Court Iowa Supreme Court Maine Legislature California Supreme Court Passage of California's Prop 8, court appeals to (Which Way, L.A.? on)
To the Point
Iowa Court Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage Same-sex marriage has been an issue on the east and west coasts of America, but now it's come to the heartland. In a unanimous ruling, the Supreme Court of Iowa has ruled that state's ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional, and that same-sex marriages can begin in Iowa in the next 21 days. Andrew Koppelman teaches law at Northewestern University and is author of Same Sex, Different States : When Same Sex Marriages Cross State Lines.
To the Point
Same-Sex Marriage in California Same-sex marriage is legal in California, at least until November, when voters are likely to get the chance to overturn last week's ruling by the state supreme court. The Massachusetts Supreme Court was first, back in 2003, the only other state that's legalized same-sex marriage . But the ruling in California went further, saying that discrimination against homosexuals is the same as racial discrimination. Many gays and lesbians are celebrating the opinion by Chief Justice Ron George, a former prosecutor appointed by a Republican Governor. Does the decision nullify "the will of the people," since a statewide same-sex marriage ban passed overwhelmingly eight years ago? Can the people nullify the court that nullified them? What's the likely impact on other states and the presidential campaign?
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