Answer :
Final answer:
Justice Kennedy's majority opinion in Obergefell v. Hodges established that same-sex marriage is a constitutional right under the Fourteenth Amendment, ensuring equality and recognition of dignity for same-sex couples. The opinion emphasized that marriage is a fundamental right, and denying it to same-sex couples is discriminatory and unconstitutional. This landmark decision marked a significant moment in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights in the United States.
Explanation:
Majority Opinion by Justice Kennedy in Obergefell v. Hodges
In the landmark case Obergefell v. Hodges, decided on June 26, 2015, Justice Anthony Kennedy authored the majority opinion, which was joined by four other justices. The Court ruled in a 5-4 decision that the Fourteenth Amendment requires states to grant same-sex couples the same right to marry as opposite-sex couples, emphasizing the principles of dignity and equality.
Justice Kennedy's majority opinion stated that marriage is a fundamental right inherent in the liberty of the person, and the state's interest in marriage extends beyond procreation, encompassing the valuing of couples' commitment and love. He wrote that denying same-sex couples the right to marry undermines their dignity and is therefore unconstitutional under the equal protection and due process clauses of the Fourteenth Amendment. Kennedy's opinion affirmed that the Constitution promises liberty to all within its reach, thus ensuring that same-sex couples can enjoy marriage and the same benefits and responsibilities as heterosexual couples.
- The ruling was seen as a significant victory for the LGBTQ+ community and supporters of marriage equality.
- Justice Kennedy's opinion drew on various precedents, indicating that the court had previously acknowledged the importance of the right to marry.
- It articulated that the denial of marriage rights harmed same-sex couples, impacting their personal and social identity.
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