As of Oct. 6, more than half of the states in the U.S. issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
By declining to hear appeals from five states, the Supreme Court overturned bans on same-sex marriage in Indiana, Oklahoma, Utah, Virginia and Wisconsin on Oct. 6.
Reuters reported on Oct. 10 that Idaho and North Carolina had begun issuing same-sex marriage licenses, bringing the total number of states to 35.
For a brief time in the spring, same-sex couples were able to marry in Arkansas. According to KATV, more than 400 couples were married, mostly in Pulaski and Washington Counties before the Arkansas Supreme Court issued a stay on Judge Chris Piazza’s decision. The stay halted the marriage of same-sex couples within all counties of Arkansas.
Junior John Mark Robison said that the moral standing of the content is being ruled over by courts.
“This is more worrisome to me, but only because I have a problem with the courts being used to form policy,” Robison said. “Marriage equality should be decided on by the state legislators.”
Much of the marriage equality debate stems not only from moral standings but from an issue of federalism. Many people believe that district courts should not have the final say in any issue, especially one like marriage equality.
Robison is one of them.
“I have no problem with the passage of legislation on marriage equality; I just don’t think that it should be determined by the courts,” Robison said.
Robison, who identifies himself as a Christian, noted that it is important for the government to be careful of impeding on citizens’ personal lives, regardless of their beliefs.
“Though what the Bible has to say about homosexuality is pretty clear, I don’t think that means that we have the right to legislate our morality,” Robison said.
On the other hand, there are many people who believe decisions such as marriage equality should be kept closer to home and made by the people. Hannah Culbertson, a senior educational primary general studies major, compared the issue of marriage equality with the topic of Arkansas’ citizens voting for or against the alcohol amendment.
“I’m much more in favor of states being able to decide, rather than the federal government deciding for the people. (The decision) is closer to the people,” Culbertson said.
