m.cnn.com/primary/cnnd_fullarticle?articleId=cnn/2013/03/26/politics/same-sex-marriage-court&branding=&pagesize=10&category=cnnd_latest.
The meaning of marriage.
It's an issue that does not get more
basic, yet the complexity
surrounding the legal, social, and
political implications of expanding
that right to gays and lesbians is
now squarely before the Supreme
Court.
The justices launch an epic public
dialogue on Tuesday when they hear
oral arguments in the first of two
appeals to state and federal laws
restricting same-sex marriage. The
second round will be on Wednesday.
Five things to watch
However, the real challenge and
drama will come when they go
behind closed doors later this week
and vote as a group -- at least
preliminarily -- on questions
presented in cases with landmark
potential.
The political, social, and legal stakes
of this long-simmering debate have
once again put the high court at the
center of national attention, a
contentious encore to its summer
ruling upholding the massive health
care reform law championed by
President Barack Obama.
The outcome in this one could have
profound influence on how America
defines family. The court is likely to
take its time and not act before
June.
The drama inside the ornate marble
courtroom will be matched by
heated rhetoric outside.
Hundreds of activists on both sides
will hold competing rallies in front of
the court. Dozens of others have
waited in line in frigid temperatures
and snow -- some since Thursday --
for a coveted seat