But views are largely unchanged over the last few years. adults (37%) favored allowing gays and lesbians to wed in 2009, a share that rose to 62% in 2017. The decision rested in part on the court’s interpretation of the 14th Amendment the justices ruled that limiting marriage to heterosexual couples violates the amendment’s guarantee of equal protection under the law.Īs we approach the fourth anniversary of the ruling, here are five key facts about same-sex marriage:ġ The share of Americans who favor same sex-marriage grew steadily for most of the last decade, but public support has leveled off in the last few years. Hodges legalized gay marriage nationwide, including in the 14 states that did not previously allow gays and lesbians to wed. Supreme Court issued a landmark ruling that granted same-sex couples a constitutional right to marry. Partners Kevin Foster (right) and Joey Thibodeaux place wedding bands on each other’s fingers during their wedding ceremony in Florida.