Issue
Same-sex couples from across the country filed lawsuits in federal courts arguing that state laws and constitutional amendments that prohibit them from marrying violate the Equal Protection and Due Process clauses of the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
Impact
Same-sex couples in the U.S. would gain the right to marry nationwide if the U.S. Supreme Court strikes down state statutes and constitutional amendments banning marriage equality.
Summary
These briefs present demographic profiles of same-sex couples at the national, state, and regional levels. The briefs show that same-sex couples are common throughout the U.S. and reflect the country’s diversity. These couples live in all 50 states and 93% of U.S. counties. Research demonstrates that same-sex couples want to marry and form families. Almost one in five same-sex couples are raising children. Nationally, nearly 122,000 same-sex couple households include almost 210,000 children under age 18 in their homes. Many same-sex couples and parents experience socioeconomic hardships. Marriage reduces economic vulnerability in couples and families and contributes to better outcomes for children raised by married parents.
Download Obergefell v. Hodges amicus brief
Download Bostic v. Schaefer amicus brief
Download Bourke v. Beshear amicus brief
Download DeBoer v. Snyder amicus brief
Download Henry v. Himes amicus brief
Download Lawson v. Kelly amicus brief
Download Tanco v. Haslam amicus brief
Download Jernigan v. Crane amicus brief
Download Rosenbrahn v. Daugaard amicus brief
Download Waters v. Ricketts amicus brief
Download Wright v. Smith amicus brief
Download Sevcik et al. v. Sandoval amicus brief
Download United States v. Windsor amicus brief