SCOTUS Ends November with No Word on Marriage
The Supreme Court took no action on Friday on several cases regarding marriage equality petitioned for review by the court.
The high court’s nine justices met in conference on Friday to discuss whether the court would hear arguments on multiple challenges to the Defense of Marriage Act and to California’s Proposition 8. Shortly after 3:30 p.m. an order posted on the Supreme Court’s website announced they would take up two unrelated cases, but made no mention of the DOMA and Proposition 8 cases. Action was also not taken on a case challenging an Arizona law halting domestic-partner benefits for same-sex couples who are state employees.
On Monday, Dec. 3, at 9:30 a.m., the Supreme Court will issue its next list of orders and could take action on some of these marriage-equality cases before the court. Although, as SCOTUSBlog reports, there is no indication action will be taken on Monday. Indeed, the court could delay until Dec. 7, when the justices hold their next conference.
“It is not uncommon, in cases that have some complexity, for the Court to require more than one Conference sitting to decide how to proceed,” writes Lyle Denniston at SCOTUSBlog.
It still remains very likely that the court will take up at least one challenge to DOMA and issue a ruling sometime toward the end of the term in June 2013.
Today’s delay was one of a series that have seen action on the multiple marriage cases pushed into the fall. The Supreme Court took no action on the cases at the beginning of the term on Oct. 1 and delayed consideration until after Election Day.
[Photo: The Supreme Court justices (Courtesy of the U.S. Supreme Court).]
Support Metro Weekly’s Journalism
These are challenging times for news organizations. And yet it’s crucial we stay active and provide vital resources and information to both our local readers and the world. So won’t you please take a moment and consider supporting Metro Weekly with a membership? For as little as $5 a month, you can help ensure Metro Weekly magazine and MetroWeekly.com remain free, viable resources as we provide the best, most diverse, culturally-resonant LGBTQ coverage in both the D.C. region and around the world. Memberships come with exclusive perks and discounts, your own personal digital delivery of each week’s magazine (and an archive), access to our Member's Lounge when it launches this fall, and exclusive members-only items like Metro Weekly Membership Mugs and Tote Bags! Check out all our membership levels here and please join us today!
