US Supreme Court hears historic same-sex marriage arguments
Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy joined conservative colleagues in asking skeptical questions Tuesday as the US high court heard historic arguments over the right of gay and lesbian couples to marry.
Kennedy, whose vote is seen as pivotal on the nine-member panel, said marriage has been understood as one man and one woman for "millennia-plus time." He said same-sex marriage has been debated in earnest for only about 10 years, and he wondered aloud whether scholars and the public need more time.
"It's very difficult for the court to say 'We know better,'" Kennedy told Mary Bonauto, a lawyer representing same-sex couples.
Chief Justice John Roberts said gay couples seeking to marry are not seeking to join the institution of marriage.
