Thu. November 29, 2012
Washington, DC -
The United States Supreme Court's private conference will today, November 30, 2012, consider whether to grant review in Hollingsworth v. Perry, the federal constitutional challenge to California's Proposition 8. Several other Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) cases will also be considered. The exact time of the conference is unknown.
California's Proposition 8, enacted in November of 2008, eliminated the right of gays and lesbians to marry in the State. DOMA, which was enacted by Congress in 1996, nullifies the marriages of gay and lesbian couples for all purposes of federal law.
On February 7, 2012, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit issued a ruling upholding the August 2010 decision of the Federal District Court that found Proposition 8 unconstitutional. On July 30, 2012, the proponents of Proposition 8 asked the Supreme Court to review the Ninth Circuit's judgment. A request for Supreme Court review, known as a petition for a writ of certiorari, is only granted upon an affirmative vote of four Justices.
If the Court grants review, the Justices will go on to consider whether Proposition 8 violates the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution. Should the Court deny review, the February 2012 decision of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit that struck down Proposition 8 is made permanent.
The decision of today's conference may be made today but most like will be made public on Monday, December 3, 2012.
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