Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on Friday told an
audience in Philadelphia that the Constitution's genius shines in the
court's gay marriage decisions.
Ginsburg, who recently officiated over the wedding of a gay
couple, said that equality has always been central to the
Constitution.
(Related: Justice
Ginsburg to officiate wedding of gay couple.)
“So I see the genius of our Constitution, and of our society, is
how much more embracive we have become than we were at the
beginning,” the
AP quoted Ginsburg as saying during an appearance at the National
Constitution Center.
In June, the high court released two decisions related to gay
nuptials. It stuck down a portion of the Defense of Marriage Act
(DOMA), which prohibited federal agencies from recognizing the legal
marriages of gay and lesbian couples. Without DOMA, married gay
couples can receive federal recognition and benefits regardless of
whether they live in a state where such unions are allowed. The
second ruling paved the way for the return of gay nuptials in
California, making it the 13th state to legalize marriage
for gay couples.
The DOMA decision has also provoked a flurry of activity in the
states – from an attempt to ban such unions in Indiana to lawsuits
filed in nearly a dozen states.
Ginsburg, 80, gave no hint that she was preparing to retire from
the bench anytime soon.
(Related: Antonin
Scalia criticizes DOMA ruling; describes gay couples as “new
minority.”)