Fate of same-sex marriage unclear after Supreme Court hears case

The Supreme Court on Tuesday heard oral arguments in a landmark same-sex marriage case, with the justices predictably splitting along partisan lines in their questioning.

Justice Anthony Kennedy, the centrist adjudicator who could be the deciding vote, appeared to show support for each side of the debate at different times. Acknowledging marriage's historical definition as being between one man and one woman, he said it would be "very difficult for the Court to say we know better." Yet he also questioned why same-sex couples should not enjoy the "same ennoblement" as straight couples.

The case involves two questions: Whether there is a constitutional right to same-sex marriage and, if not, whether states must recognize such marriages performed elsewhere in the U.S. The Supreme Court is expected to rule on the case this summer.

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