Same-sex marriage takes center stage at the US Supreme Court on Tuesday as the justices begin hearing oral arguments on the emotionally-charged issue that has split the nation.
Over two days, lawyers from both sides of the debate will present their positions on two cases before the nine-member panel, as supporters and opponents converge on Washington.
The top court will first hear arguments over Proposition 8, a California referendum measure that struck down that state's same-sex marriage initiative in 2008.
The two couples who are plaintiffs staged a photo opportunity on Monday by inspecting the original handwritten text of the US Constitution on the eve of their day in court.
Paul Katami and Jeff Zarrillo joined Kris Perry and Sandy Tier on the steps of the National Archives in the US capital, where they posed for photographers but declined to speak to reporters.
They then went in ‘to view the US Constitution and reflect on the importance of their case for gay and lesbian couples across the nation,’ said the American Foundation for Equal Rights, which supports their case.
Then on Wednesday, the court will consider the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), a federal law which defines marriage as an act between a man and woman and thus denies married gays and lesbians the same rights and privileges.
The star plaintiff in that case is Edie Windsor, 83, who had to pay US $363,000 in federal estate taxes when her partner of more than 40 years, Thea Spyer whom she had married in Canada in 2007, died in 2009. Under DOMA, the surviving member of a heterosexual married couple is exempt from such taxes. Outside the Court, protesters – red for supporters and red, white and blue for opponents – will set out their positions in the court of public opinion.
Over two days, lawyers from both sides of the debate will present their positions on two cases before the nine-member panel, as supporters and opponents converge on Washington.
The top court will first hear arguments over Proposition 8, a California referendum measure that struck down that state's same-sex marriage initiative in 2008.
The two couples who are plaintiffs staged a photo opportunity on Monday by inspecting the original handwritten text of the US Constitution on the eve of their day in court.
Paul Katami and Jeff Zarrillo joined Kris Perry and Sandy Tier on the steps of the National Archives in the US capital, where they posed for photographers but declined to speak to reporters.
They then went in ‘to view the US Constitution and reflect on the importance of their case for gay and lesbian couples across the nation,’ said the American Foundation for Equal Rights, which supports their case.
Then on Wednesday, the court will consider the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), a federal law which defines marriage as an act between a man and woman and thus denies married gays and lesbians the same rights and privileges.
The star plaintiff in that case is Edie Windsor, 83, who had to pay US $363,000 in federal estate taxes when her partner of more than 40 years, Thea Spyer whom she had married in Canada in 2007, died in 2009. Under DOMA, the surviving member of a heterosexual married couple is exempt from such taxes. Outside the Court, protesters – red for supporters and red, white and blue for opponents – will set out their positions in the court of public opinion.