The Supreme Court ruled in favor of same-sex marriage in a historic vote Friday (June 26). The Washington Post reports that the justices voted 5-4 to allow homosexual couples to marry in all U.S. states.
The ruling overturns any state bans against gay marriage.
The Supreme Court reportedly considered cases from Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee, states that upheld same-sex marriage bans, to determine that the Constitution does not allow exclusion of gay marriage.
Previously, gay couples were permitted to marry in 37 states and the District of Columbia.
According to a Washington Post-ABC poll, national attitudes are changing, as 61 percent of Americans said they supported same-sex marriage.
The decision will be met with criticism by many faith leaders across the country. Christian Today reports over 50,000 Christian leaders have signed a pledge of support for biblical marriage. The signers said that the U.S. Supreme Court “has no authority to redefine marriage.”
Previous to the Court’s ruling, many pastors vowed to refuse to officiate gay marriages, regardless of the outcome.
Publication date: June 26, 2015
