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AN INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER SERVING THE GW COMMUNITY SINCE 1904

The GW Hatchet

Serving the GW Community since 1904

The GW Hatchet

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Students rally at Supreme Court during oral arguments for same-sex marriage

Protesters stood outside of the Supreme Court Tuesday morning as Supreme Court justices heard oral arguments about marriage equality. Jordan McDonald | Hatchet Staff Photographer.
Protesters stood outside of the Supreme Court Tuesday morning as Supreme Court justices heard oral arguments about marriage equality. Jordan McDonald | Hatchet Staff Photographer.

This post was written by Hatchet reporter Andrew Goudsward.

Members of Allied in Pride and GW College Democrats were among the hundreds of flag-waving, rainbow-clad demonstrators who rallied for marriage equality on the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court Tuesday while Supreme Court justices heard arguments in a case to expand same-sex marriage rights.

The Supreme Court heard arguments for four cases consolidated under Obergefell v. Hodges to determine if states have a constitutional requirement to recognize same-sex marriage and if states where same-sex marriage is illegal must recognize same-sex marriages that were performed in other states.

The Supreme Court’s decision could potentially legalize same-sex marriage nationwide. The case combines challenges to four same-sex marriage bans in Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee and Michigan, the New York Times reported.

Allied in Pride President Robert Todaro said the rally was a perfect way for students to show their support of gay marriage.

“Today is an amazing today,” Todaro said. “To see such a large outpouring of love and support for the LGBTQ community is really heartwarming.”

Todaro held a sign that said “Swipe Right, SCOTUS,” a reference to the popular dating app Tinder.

The vast majority of the crowd was in support of same-sex marriage. Attendees held colorful signs, with sayings like “America is ready” and “SCOTUS is for lovers.” Many demonstrators also waved large flags emblazoned with an equal sign, one of the symbols of the marriage equality movement.

The Supreme Court is set to rule on same-sex marriage in the coming weeks. Jordan McDonald | Hatchet Staff Photographer.
The Supreme Court is set to rule on Obergefell v. Hodges in the coming weeks. Jordan McDonald | Hatchet Staff Photographer.

A small number of protesters against same-sex marriage also gathered. They carried large black and red banners that read “America must bless God” and yelled that homosexuality is sinful.

Protesters stood outside the Supreme Court as it gets set to rule on same-sex marriage. Jordan McDonald | Hatchet Staff Photographer.
Protesters stood outside the Supreme Court Tuesday morning. Jordan McDonald | Hatchet Staff Photographer.

Todaro said he wasn’t bothered by the opposing demonstrators and was confident that the Supreme Court would rule in favor of recognizing same-sex marriage.

“This is such a non-issue for our generation and I think that SCOTUS is going to be on the right side of history,” he said.

Junior Eric Wolfert, who came to the rally with GW’s College Democrats, said everyone should be able to to take part in “love and marriage,” and said the Supreme Court’s decision could make marriage equality “a reality for all couples, no matter what state they live in.”

“Love is the most wonderful thing in the world,” he said. “And we should always celebrate it.”

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