Sorry, Justice Roberts – Majority Of Americans Now Want You To Rule For Marriage Equality

Chief Justice John Roberts last week worried if the Supreme Court made marriage equality the law of the land, the “debate” would be over. Pity he doesn’t read the polls, because a new one says it already is.

Last week during oral arguments at the Supreme Court, Chief Justice John Roberts made what some believe to be an “absurd” argument for delaying or even denying same-sex couples the right to marry.

Speaking to Mary Bonauto, the attorney for the same-sex couples, the Chief Justice suggested there were no consequences of waiting longer for marriage equality. 

“On the other hand, one of the things that’s truly extraordinary about this whole issue is how quickly has been the acceptance of your position across broad elements of society. I don’t know what the latest opinion polls show,” Justice Roberts admitted.

Pointing to Maine, where lawmakers extended marriage to same-sex couples, only to have voters repeal that law, and then later vote for same-sex marriage, Roberts said “that sort of quick change has been a characteristic of this debate, but if you prevail here, there will be no more debate.”

Of course, Justice Roberts’ suggestion that same-sex couples don’t immediately need or deserve the rights and responsibilities marriage brings is ignorant and offensive on its face. So is his suggestion that rights are up for debate. It’s stunningly disappointing and of great concern that he believes that, but given how his Court has gutted the Voting Rights Act, it’s not surprising.

Fortunately, today we can safely say that the debate has been had in this country, and it is over – at least in the minds of the majority of Americans.

Last month a large majority – 61 percent – of Americans said they support the right of same-sex couples to marry.

Today, a new NBC News/ Wall Street Journal poll finds that nearly as many – 58 percent – want the Supreme Court to strike down all same-sex marriage bans and make marriage equality the law of the land. 44 percent said they strongly favor such a decision by the nation’s highest court.

What’s more, barely over a third of Americans, – just 37 percent – said they oppose the Court ruling in favor of same-sex marriage.

So, Justice Roberts, while your suggestion that rights should be up for debate is ludicrous, and that perhaps America should wait is washed up, we’ve waited, we’ve debated – and we’ve won.

The ball’s in your court.

 

Image by JoshuaMHoover via Flickr and a CC license