ISU professor: Don’t ‘place any bets’ on Supreme Court same-sex marriage ruling

Posted on April 29, 2015

By Adam Studzinski

BLOOMINGTON – It’s anyone’s guess what ruling the U.S. Supreme Court will make on same-sex marriage.

That’s according to Illinois State University political science professor Meghan Leonard. However, Leonard said the L.G.B.T. community does seem to be confident of some sort of favorable outcome.

“Even if that’s only the recognition question, which forces states to recognize same-sex marriages from other states,” said Leonard. “I wouldn’t place any bets on it. I’m not sure anybody could be totally certain about how the justices will decide.”

Leonard said, even though same-sex marriage is already allowed in Illinois, whatever decision the court makes could still have an effect in the state. She added same-sex couples who were married in Illinois can’t move to some states because they’d lose the rights and privileges of being married.

“Even if the Supreme Court takes just the recognition approach, that would allow same-sex couples who are married in Illinois to move to states that would then have to recognize their right,” Leonard said.

It likely won’t be until the end of June before a decision is announced.

Adam Studzinski can be reached at [email protected].

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