Professional groups seek end to state bans

With the U.S. Supreme Court poised to make a potentially historic ruling on same-sex marriage, at least four associations representing scholars in various fields have filed briefs in support of overturning state laws preventing the practice.

The Supreme Court announced in January it would hear four cases challenging state bans on same-sex marriage. The hearing is set for April 28, with a decision likely coming sometime in the summer, according to SCOTUS Blog.

The high court has been deluged with briefs from groups both supporting and arguing against the bans. One of the latest briefs came from the Obama administration, which spoke in favor of overturning bans. Four academic associations also are asking justices to strike down the marriage laws, although they gave slightly different justifications for doing so, according to news site Inside Higher Ed.

One was the Organization of American Historians, which submitted a brief outlining the discrimination gays and lesbians have faced throughout U.S. history, Inside Higher Ed reported. The American Psychological Association submitted a brief stating that being gay is a normal expression of human sexuality.

The American Historical Association and American Sociological Association also provided reasons for overturning the state bans. http://bit.ly/1Aavsv4

Many businesses also are seeking an end to same-sex marriage bans. A handful of local chambers of commerce and associations were among 379 businesses and business groups that recently filed a joint brief urging the court to strike down the bans. No national associations were among them. http://bit.ly/1Aaw43C

Many associations have declined to weigh in on the issue, leaving the decision to individual members. One exception is the Consumer Electronics Association, which announced last year it would provide financial support to the Log Cabin Republicans, an organization of gay and lesbian Republicans who support same-sex marriage.