NAACP Statement on U.S. Supreme Court’s Refusal to Hear Marriage Cases

Baltimore, MD – The U.S. Supreme Court recently declined to hear seven marriage equality cases from the Fourth, Seventh, and Tenth Circuit Courts of Appeal.  The NAACP signed onto several amicus briefs, including Herbert v. Kitchen (Utah); Smith v. Bishop (Oklahoma); and McQuigg v. Bostic (Virginia); Rainey v. Bostic (Virginia); and Schaefer v. Bostic (Virginia) that argued that bans on same sex marriages were unconstitutional and should be reviewed under a high level of scrutiny. By denying review of these cases, the Supreme Court has finally cleared the way for couples in at least 16 states to exercise their fundamental right to marry.   Having taken a stance against miscegenation laws in Virginia as far back as 1967 and having issued a 2012 resolution reaffirming our long-standing commitment to equality under the law for all people, the NAACP believes that the Court’s refusal to hear these matters is a big step towards our goal of achieving equality under the law for all people—no matter whom they love.