The US Supreme Court will take up the gay marriage

After several weeks of silence on the subject, the US Supreme Court finally announced Friday that it would decide before the summer of the constitutionality of gay marriage is currently legal in 36 states and Washington.

The Supreme Court announced on Friday 16 January, she would decide this year whether same-sex couples could marry across the United States, opening the way for a historic decision on one of the most controversial topics of the American society.

Does the US Constitution guarantees the possibility for same-sex couples to marry, just as between a man and a woman? This is the question that will arise in late April the highest court of the country. She will meet in late June in a move that will undoubtedly be crucial because of its national scope.

"On the long road to full equality before the law that gays and lesbians had to go, the announcement of the Court today is a major step," observes Judith Shaeffer of the Constitutional Accountability Center.

The Minister of Justice Eric Holder assured that the government "would urge the Supreme Court to marriage for all a reality for all Americans."

"Gay marriage on the way to the Supreme Court. Let us make some noise! Speak you, tell your story! You deserve justice!", Has, meanwhile, launched the passionaria for gay rights, Lady Gaga Twitter.

Gay marriage is now legal in 36 of 50 states and in Washington, the federal capital. But there is outlawed in 14 states.

A decision will be final

Until 2013, the federal government could not legally recognize gay marriages performed in states that had legalized because of a law passed by Congress in 1996. The Supreme Court repealed end June 2013 part of this law, called Defense of Marriage Act, opening facto retired federal rights, estate or tax relief to all married couples, whether heterosexual or homosexual.

This time, the answer of the Court shall be final. In conservative majority, it will hear arguments from gay couples who want to marry or have their marriage recognized in Ohio (north), Michigan (north), Tennessee (south) and Kentucky (East Central) four states that prohibit gay marriage. It also listen to the authorities of those States which consider these anti-constitutional unions.

But his decision will also apply to the ten other states where it is illegal and will, as such a "profound symbolic effect at the historical level," according to the expert Lyle Denniston.

"It is time for America to be more than this house divided with regard to the freedom to marry," he told Brian Silva, director of Marriage Equality USA, a support organization for gay couples.

For opponents, the high court, faced with contradictory judgments, "now has the opportunity to restore freedom of the inhabitants of states to confirm the marriage as a union between a man and a woman," said Tony Perkins, president Family Research Council.

"We expect the final victory of democracy, religious freedom and cherished institution of marriage which forms the foundation of our company," said Brian Brown, president of the National Organization for Marriage.

"This is the right moment to act"

The Court heard during half past two the two parties on the interpretation of the 14th Amendment to the Constitution about gay marriage. This amendment affirms the need to ensure equal protection for all.

"The 14th amendment it requires a State to allow marriage between two persons of the same sex? The 14th Amendment does it require a State to recognize a marriage between two persons of the same sex if their marriage was legally allowed and celebrated outside the state? "will ask the nine wise, depending on their document delivered Friday to the press.

The lawyer Jeffrey Trachtman, specializing in marriage rights, "it's the right time to act," and to end "discrimination in the states that continue" to prohibit such unions. According to him, today there are more of states that allow only states that allow interracial marriage when they were conform to the Constitution in 1967.

There are now "70% of Americans, more than 216 million people who live in a state with marriage for all", welcomed Chad Griffin, president of Human Rights Campaign, the largest gay rights organization and lesbians.

"The battle is about whether our families are at or are second class. But the US Constitution does not tolerate second-class citizenship," he noted.