http://int.nyt.com.s3.amazonaws.com/data/scotus/2014/14-556q1_7l48.pdf
U.S. Supreme Court Justices will hear arguments on whether states must allow same-sex marriageM
Arguments before the Supreme Court on Same Sex Marriage April 28 21015
Mary L. Bonauto said on behalf of petitioners on Question
The intimate and committed relationships of same-sex couples, just like those of heterosexual couples, provide mutual support and are the foundation of family life in our society.
If a legal commitment, responsibility and protection that is marriage is off limits to gay people as a class, the stain of unworthiness that follows on individuals and families contravenes the basic constitutional commitment to equal dignity.
Indeed, the abiding purpose of the 14th Amendment is to preclude relegating classes of persons to second-tier status.
“Here we have a whole class of people who are denied the equal right to be able to join in their extensive government institution that provides protection for families,
Chief Justice Roberts:
“Well, you say join in the institution. The argument on the other side is that they’re seeking to redefine the institution. Every definition that I looked up, prior to about a dozen years ago, defined marriage as unity between a man and a woman as husband and wife. Obviously, if you succeed, that definition will no longer be operable.
My question is you’re not seeking to join the institution, you’re seeking to change what the institution is. The fundamental sore of the institution is the opposite-sex relationship and you want to introduce into it a same-sex relationship
Justice Alito:
Well, how do you account for the fact, as far as I’m aware, until the end of the 20th century, there never was a nation or a culture that recognized marriage between two people of the same sex? Now, can we infer from that that those nations and those cultures all thought that there was some rational, purpose for defining marriage in that way or is it your argument that they were all operating independently based solely on irrational stereotypes and prejudice.?
Well if you want to read the 100 plus pages feel free to do so.
