Supreme Court Will Consider Whether to Take Up Same-Sex Marriage Case in Ohio Next Month

The Supreme Court will begin 2015 with the four same-sex marriage cases punted out of the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals earlier this year. It was that lower court that voted to uphold Ohio's constitutional ban on same-sex marriage, thus pretty much drawing out the inevitable reversal process and kicking legal matters up to the highest court in the land. 

Ohio's case, which is joined by cases in Michigan, Tennessee and Kentucky, revolves around two same-sex couples. In each couple, one of the men died. Backed by the might of Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine, the surviving spouse in each couple is not listed on his respective partner's death certificate. The recognition of marriages performed legally in other states is the key issue in the Ohio case. 

The Jan. 9 SCOTUS hearing will determine whether the court will hear these cases in the first place. Based on its recent action paving the way for same-sex marriages in Florida, the general opinion out there is that the court will take these cases up.