In recent years, gay rights advocates have won a string of remarkable victories. But 2013 could see the most significant progress yet. That’s because the Supreme Court will take up two major gay marriage cases, one about Prop 8, California’s gay marriage ban, the other about the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, which allows states and the federal government not to recognize gay marriage. A decision is expected to be announced in June.
The court could rule any number of ways. It could uphold or strike down both measures, or it could upholding Prop 8 while striking down DOMA, or the reverse. And its rulings could be so broad as to allow gay marriage across the nation, or so narrow that the Justices avoid taking any stance and rule on procedural grounds.
But here’s the thing: Given the rapid movement of public opinion, even if the victory doesn’t come at the Supreme Court this year, gay rights advocates are confident it’ll come sooner or later.
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