Supreme Court justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg drops hints on same-sex marriage ruling
LGBT activists are poring over comments from Supreme Court justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, for any clues over the ways that the court will rule on same-sex marriage.
The highest court in the US is expected to announce its decision on same-sex marriage later this month, after hearing ‘mega-case’ Obergefell v. Hodges – which could decide on the issue once and for all for the entire country.
Ahead of the ruling, liberal justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg – who is one of the most pro-gay justices on the court and a consistent voice in favour of equality – has been interpreted as dropping hints on the issue.
The Washington Post picked up on comments she made to the American Constitution Society on Saturday, as the nine justices prepare their final ruling.
She said: “The court is not in a popularity contest, and it should never be influenced by today’s headlines, by the weather of today… but inevitably it will be affected by the climate of the era.
“I think that’s part of the explanation of why the gay rights movement has advanced to where it is today… the climate of the era.”
The paper noted that she “certainly seemed in a good mood” at the event – not the outlook of a pro-gay justice who had been defeated on a landmark equality case.
Watch the clip below (comments at 52:55)
The court’s ruling is anticipated towards the end of the month, but the Supreme Court does not give notice in advance, meaning a ruling could come at any time.
Ginsburg has previously outraged anti-gay activists by herself officiating a number of same-sex weddings, both leading up to and during the case.
In one private wedding last month, she declared two men married “by the powers vested in me by the Constitution of the United States” – emphasising the word Constitution.
The justice has gathered an unlikely online following and been nicknamed ‘Notorious R.B.G’ for her frequently outspoken opinions.
Natalie Portman is set to play her in an upcoming biopic of her life.
