Statement From A.G. Schneiderman On Oral Arguments In Same-Sex Marriage Cases Before The Supreme Court

NEW YORK – With the U.S. Supreme Court to begin hearing oral arguments today on the constitutionality of same-sex marriage, Attorney General Eric Schneiderman called on the Court to ensure equal protection under the law for all Americans by guaranteeing that same-sex couples have the right to marry across the country.

“The Supreme Court has an opportunity, once and for all, to guarantee equal rights and equal protection under the law for same-sex couples. I urge the Court to end this discrimination in all 50 states, and to stand on the side of dignity for all Americans. I am proud to have joined every individual who has fought to secure marriage equality for all couples, including in numerous appellate courts leading up to today’s momentous argument. I am hopeful that we will soon be able to celebrate a victory for justice.”

In March, the Attorney General joined a coalition of states in filing a friend of the court brief with the Supreme Court, arguing that the U.S. Constitution’s promise of equal protection demands that same-sex couples have the right to marry across the country.

Previously, in 2013, Attorney General Schneiderman led a 16-state coalition in the filing of an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in U.S. v. Windsor, arguing against a key provision of the federal Defense of Marriage Act. In that case, the Supreme Court ultimately struck down that statute’s federal definition of “marriage” as being between one man and one woman.