SCOTUS hears gay marriage arguments, historic ruling expected soon

Perhaps we can soon put the issue to rest.

The nine justices of the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) are now seated behind their benches as opening arguments for and against same-sex marriages consumes the business of the Supreme Court.

The case, Obergefell v. Hodges, will determine whether states are required to give marriage licenses to two people of the same sex, and whether all states are legally required to recognize same-sex marriage licenses from other states under the 14th Amendment. So significant is Obergefell v. Hodges, that the justices have dedicated 2.5 hours to arguments this morning, which is 90 minutes more than what is typically allowed.

For clues on how the justices may rule, observers look to the United States v. Windsor case, in which SCOTUS ruled 5-4 in 2013 that key elements in the Defense of Marriage Act were unconstitutional. With the same judges at the bench, proponents of same-sex marriage hope the gavel will drop in their favor.

SCOTUS is expected to rule by June.