polaris

The EU’s highest court just ruled that same-sex marriages are legal throughout the entire bloc in a landmark decision involving two Polish men whose marriage (which was done in Berlin) was not legally recognized by the Polish government. The ruling states that Poland’s refusal to recognize the same-sex marriage “infringes not only the freedom to move and reside, but also the fundamental right to respect for private and family life,” however it does not require member states to recognize the legality of gay marriages in their own laws. The court also stated that EU member states have no right to discriminate against same-sex couples in the case of foreign marriages. I think that this ruling is very important and welcome amidst rising homophobia worldwide, and I’m glad that the court sided with the two men, but the lack of a concrete ruling of whether or not gay marriage is truly legal a la the US’ Obergefell makes me a little doubtful. If there’s anything to take away from this, it’s t...

In recent news, the Supreme Court has declined to review its landmark decision to protect same-sex marriages (Obergefell v. Hodges), upholding gay rights in a surprising turn of events given the current state of this current administration. Former clerk Kim Davis challenged the ruling after she declined to give a marriage license to a same-sex couple and was found in contempt of court and fined $360,000, along with losing her clerk re-election. Davis challenged the ruling on the basis of religious discrimination, stating that “If ever there was a case of exceptional importance, the first individual in the Republic's history who was jailed for following her religious convictions regarding the historic definition of marriage, this should be it.” She is not alone in her sentiments, as many other key figures such as Justice Clarence Thomas have espoused anti-LGBTQ views and called into question the legality of gay rights. Despite all this, gay marriage would still have some protections...