Court Takes Up Gay Marriage Issue

The Supreme Court waded into the fight over same-sex marriage Tuesday, at a time when public opinion is shifting rapidly in favor of permitting gay and lesbian couples to wed, but 40 states don’t allow it. The court’s first major examination of gay rights in 10 years began with a hearing on California’s ban on same-sex marriage. On Wednesday, the justices will consider the federal law that prevents legally married gay couples from receiving a range of benefits afforded straight married Americans. Actor-director Rob Reiner, who helped lead the fight against California’s Proposition 8, was at the head of line Tuesday morning. Some people waited since Thursday — even through light snow — for coveted seats for the argument/Associated Press. More here. (AP photo: Sandy Stier, left, and Kris Perry of Berkeley, Calif., stand outside the National Archives in Washington today)

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