Hillary Clinton: Supreme Court must rule same-sex marriage is a constitutional right

Illustrated rainbow pride flag on a white background.

Following years of evolution on the matter of same-sex marriage, Hillary Clinton now calls on the US Supreme Court to rule that equality in marriage is a constitutional right.

Mrs Clinton, who is running for the Democratic Party’s nomination for US President used to advocate same-sex marriage being introduced on a state by state basis. Last June, she told NPR “For me, marriage has always been a matter left to the states.” Adding: “I fully endorse the efforts by activists to work state by state.”

Now her campaign spokesperson Adrienne Elrod has told the Washington Blade: “Hillary Clinton supports marriage equality and hopes the Supreme Court will come down on the side of same-sex couples being guaranteed that constitutional right.”

The Supreme Court is due to hear oral arguments in favour of same-sex marriage on April 28. The case is expected to be a defining moment in the battle for same-sex marriage in the United States – and could even see same-sex marriage in all 50 states by the end of the year.

Mrs Clinton opposed same-sex marriage while running for president in 2008. However, on leaving her role as US Secretary of State in 2013, she came out publicly for equal marriage saying: “I support marriage for lesbian and gay couples. I support it personally, and as a matter of policy and law, embedded in a broader effort to advance equality and opportunity for LGBT Americans and all Americans.”

Her campaign launch video featured a gay couple preparing for their own wedding.