TN watches Supreme Court for decisions on gay marriage - WSMV Channel 4
Member Center:
The U.S. Supreme Court is set this week to consider two potentially landmark decisions on the issue of same-sex marriage.
One could decide whether legally married same-sex couples are entitled to equal benefits, while the other could decide the constitutionality of a voter-approved ban on gay marriage.
Recent national polls found more Americans support gay marriage than ever before, but a Middle Tennessee State University poll found 62 percent of Tennesseans oppose it.
Chris Sanders, president of the Tennessee Equality Project, said even a narrow Supreme Court decision favoring same-sex marriage could have a major impact in the Volunteer State.
"In time, those precedents would be used if someone were to bring suit in Tennessee," Sanders said.
The court could determine whether married same-sex couples like Dakerri Barber-Rhone, of Nashville, would be entitled to the same federal benefits as married straight couples.
"To be able to get the same recognition as all married couples, it's a dream," Barber-Rhone said.
For now, Barber-Rhone - who was married last year in Washington - is unable to benefit from her partner's health insurance policy.
Rosa June opposes changing the law, saying the change would take work.
"People were created equal, but marriage is between a man and a woman," June said. "I think it's going to affect your traditional marriages, because what's going to happen is you're going to have so many policies and procedures to change. It's going to be a mess."
The Tennessee Equality Project plans to host a rally and informational event Tuesday evening in support of the issues before the Supreme Court, and Barber-Rhone said she will be one of many in attendance.
"I'm excited to be alive to even witness this - to witness history," she said.
The rally is set for 6:30 p.m. at OutCentral, located at 1709 Church St. For more information, visit: http://www.facebook.com/events/157632334391626/.
Copyright 2013 WSMV (Meredith Corporation). All rights reserved.
A busy intersection in Donelson will be closed beginning Friday night to replace a water line.
More >>A busy intersection in Donelson will be closed beginning Friday night to replace a water line.
More >>The jury is expected to begin deliberations on Thursday in the trial of Zach Adams for the kidnapping, rape and murder of Holly Bobo.
More >>The jury is expected to begin deliberations on Thursday in the trial of Zach Adams for the kidnapping, rape and murder of Holly Bobo.
More >>A court hearing for the woman charged in the death of Metro police officer Eric Mumaw has been delayed.
More >>A court hearing for the woman charged in the death of Metro police officer Eric Mumaw has been delayed.
More >>Police say Christopher McLawhorn stabbed 23-year-old Tiffany Ferguson multiple times while burglarizing her apartment in the Wedgewood area on Feb. 28.
More >>Police say Christopher McLawhorn stabbed 23-year-old Tiffany Ferguson multiple times while burglarizing her apartment in the Wedgewood area on Feb. 28.
More >>Police are working to identify two suspects in a convenience store burglary in Hendersonville.
More >>Police are working to identify two suspects in a convenience store burglary in Hendersonville.
More >>Police in Smyrna are working to identify the man who robbed a Dollar General store on Wednesday night.
More >>Police in Smyrna are working to identify the man who robbed a Dollar General store on Wednesday night.
More >>The Zach Adams trial has exposed deep disagreement within the TBI. Our News 4 I-Team examines the conflicts.
More >>The Zach Adams trial has exposed deep disagreement within the TBI. Our News 4 I-Team examines the conflicts.
More >>Three companies lined up to sell insurance on the Obamacare exchange in Tennessee in 2018 have had their premium requests approved by the state's insurance commissioner.
More >>Three companies lined up to sell insurance on the Obamacare exchange in Tennessee in 2018 have had their premium requests approved by the state's insurance commissioner.
More >>The Tennessee Department of Health has approved a proposed merger between two hospital systems.
More >>The Tennessee Department of Health has approved a proposed merger between two hospital systems.
More >>Tennessee lawmakers are asking three state agencies to ensure that their policies allow residents to take cell phone photos of public records.
More >>Tennessee lawmakers are asking three state agencies to ensure that their policies allow residents to take cell phone photos of public records.
More >>NEW YORK (AP) — A young girl at Yankee Stadium was injured by a 105 mph foul ball off the bat of Todd Frazier during Wednesday's game against Minnesota, leading some players to call for protective netting to be extended. The Yankees said the girl was taken to a hospital for treatment, and New York manager Joe Girardi said he had been told by team security that she was OK. The game was delayed for about 4 minutes while she was attended to and then carried from the seat...
More >>NEW YORK (AP) — A young girl at Yankee Stadium was injured by a 105 mph foul ball off the bat of Todd Frazier during Wednesday's game against Minnesota, leading some players to call for protective netting to be extended. The Yankees said the girl was taken to a hospital for treatment, and New York manager Joe Girardi said he had been told by team security that she was OK. The game was delayed for about 4 minutes while she was attended to and then carried from the seat...
More >>A N.Y. mother says she’s fighting a daily battle to learn the truth after her son went missing in Tenn. over six years ago.
More >>A N.Y. mother says she’s fighting a daily battle to learn the truth after her son went missing in Tenn. over six years ago.
More >>Franklin police officers found Kyle Shepard lying on the ground outside when they were called to a condominium complex on Downs Boulevard around 3:15 p.m. Saturday.
More >>Franklin police officers found Kyle Shepard lying on the ground outside when they were called to a condominium complex on Downs Boulevard around 3:15 p.m. Saturday.
More >>The latest was filed Tuesday and deals with what allegedly happened to two 14-year-old girls at Maplewood High School last fall.
More >>The latest was filed Tuesday and deals with what allegedly happened to two 14-year-old girls at Maplewood High School last fall.
More >>The jury is expected to begin deliberations on Thursday in the trial of Zach Adams for the kidnapping, rape and murder of Holly Bobo.
More >>The jury is expected to begin deliberations on Thursday in the trial of Zach Adams for the kidnapping, rape and murder of Holly Bobo.
More >>Small towns like this typically don't change quickly, but this week, on the sidewalks of Waverly, sadly they have.
More >>Small towns like this typically don't change quickly, but this week, on the sidewalks of Waverly, sadly they have.
More >>How could a student, suspected of having a gun be sent back to class with the weapon hidden up his sleeve? It happened in Coffee County Now school leaders are trying to make things right with parents who have been losing sleep over this.
More >>How could a student, suspected of having a gun be sent back to class with the weapon hidden up his sleeve? It happened in Coffee County Now school leaders are trying to make things right with parents who have been losing sleep over this.
More >>Taco Bell is about to put booze on the menu at more than 300 new locations.
More >>Taco Bell is about to put booze on the menu at more than 300 new locations.
More >>THP's critical incident team is investigating possible criminal charges against the driver who had drugs in her system when she crashed into a school bus head-on.
More >>THP's critical incident team is investigating possible criminal charges against the driver who had drugs in her system when she crashed into a school bus head-on.
More >>The FBI and Georgia authorities are asking for help finding a man who stole a van containing $1.8 million in cash.
More >>The FBI and Georgia authorities are asking for help finding a man who stole a van containing $1.8 million in cash.
More >> | 
|
