The Briefs on Marriage Equality

by Bob Schwartz

Amicus Brief
Today begins two days (March 26 and 27) of arguments before the Supreme Court on two related cases about marriage equality. One concerns Proposition 8, California’s voter-passed initiative to ban same-sex marriage.

The question presented on appeal in that case is this:

Whether the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment prohibits the State of California from defining marriage as the union of a man and a woman.

The other case concerns the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which prevents extension of various federal benefits to same-sex couples.

The question presented on appeal in that case is this:

Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) defines the term “marriage” for all purposes under federal law, including the provision of federal benefits, as “only a legal union between one man and one woman as husband and wife.” It similarly defines the term “spouse” as “a person of the opposite sex who is a husband or a wife.”

Whether Section 3 of DOMA violates the Fifth Amendment’s guarantee of equal protection of the laws as applied to persons of the same sex who are legally married under the laws of their State

It is usual in important cases to have non-parties submit position papers to the Court, known as amicus curiae (friend of the court) briefs. The more significant or contested the controversy, the greater the number of individuals and organizations who want to offer their views—legal, social and otherwise—to help the Court decide. These briefs may be of various value to the Court, but they are all offered in friendship. These friends are often giving a bit of unsolicited advice, as friends do.

Whatever their value, these briefs are fascinating reading. Not unexpectedly, the number of amicus briefs in these cases is extraordinary: 96 in the Proposition 8 case, 80 in the DOMA case.

We will not be able to watch these historic arguments live, or even listen to them live. For reasons surpassing all understanding (something about tradition or about dignity or about lawyers—or even Justices—showboating for the media), cameras are not permitted in the U.S. Supreme Court. With all due respect—lawyers are bound to say that, since the First Amendment will not protect us from punishment for bringing disrepute on our judicial biggers and betters—there are probably plenty of calendars in and around the Supreme Court to indicate the year and century (2013, 21st).

Even if we are stuck only getting reports from the front line, there is something to do in the meantime. In fact, even after we do get the transcripts and audio of the arguments (remember, no cameras, ever), we can read all of the briefs in the case. There are the briefs from the parties to the cases and there are the 176 briefs from helpful friends. These friends include, among many of the prominent, famous and infamous, 50 U.S. Senators and 172 U.S. House members.

You can find the Proposition 8 briefs online

Dennis Hollingsworth, et al., Petitioners v. Kristin M. Perry, et al.

You can find the DOMA briefs online

United States v. Edith Schlain Windsor, in Her Capacity as Executor of the Estate of Thea Clara Spyer, et al.

In case you have decided not to dip a toe into the amicus waters, following is a list of all the briefs. But please do give it a try. Some of it will be a tough legal slog for non-lawyers, so you might skip those parts. But some will be essential historical, political, social and cultural analysis and commentary. Whether or not you agree with all these “friends”, you will come away with an informed view of all the positions, from the most solid to the wildest.

Browse the list of briefs below. It might be educational and fun. And if you do read a few of them, you might have even more fun. Maybe even legal fun. Yes, there is such a thing. Just ask the Justices.

Dennis Hollingsworth, et al., Petitioners v. Kristin M. Perry, et al. (Proposition 8)

Merit Briefs

  • Brief for Petitioners, Dennis Hollingsworth, et al
  • Brief for Respondents, Kristin M. Perry
  • Brief for Respondent, City and County of San Francisco
  • Reply Brief for the Petitioner, Dennis Hollingsworth, et al

Amicus Briefs

  • Brief for the American Civil Rights Union in Support of Hollingsworth and Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group Addressing the Merits and Supporting Reversal
  • Brief for the American Psychological Association, the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the California Medical Association, the American Psychiatric Association, the American Psychoanalytic Association, the American Association for Marriage And Family Therapy, the National Association of Social Workers and its California Chapter, and the California Psychological Association in Support of Affirmance (Addressing the Merits)
  • Brief for the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty in Support of Hollingsworth and the Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group (Addressing The Merits) (Also Filed in 12-307)
  • Brief for Catholics for the Common Good and the Marriage Law Project in Support of Petitioners
  • Brief for Center for Constitutional Jurisprudence in Support of Petitioner
  • Brief for the Citizens United’s National Committee for Family, Faith and Prayer, Citizens United Foundation, U.S. Justice Foundation, Gun Owners Foundation, The Lincoln Institute for Research and Education, Public Advocate of the United States, Declaration Alliance, Western Center for Journalism, Institute on the Constitution, Abraham Lincoln Foundation for Public Policy Research, Inc., Conservative Legal Defense and Education Fund, English First, and Protect Marriage Maryland PAC in Support of Petitioners
  • Brief for the Coalition of African American Pastors USA, the Center for Urban Renewal and Education, the Frederick Doublass Foundation, Inc., and Numerous Law Professors in Support of Petitioners and Supporting Reversal
  • Brief for David Boyle in Support of Petitioners, on the Non-Jurisdictional Issues
  • Brief for Eagle Forum Education & Legal Defense Fund, Inc., in Support of Petitioners in Support of Reversal
  • Brief for the Ethics and Public Policy Center in Support of Petitioners and Supporting Reversal or Vacatur
  • Brief for Equality California in Support of Respondents
  • Brief for the Family Research Council in Support of Petitioners Addressing the Merits and
  • Supporting Reversal
  • Brief for Foundation for Moral Law in Support of Petitioner
  • Brief for GLMA: Health Professionals Advancing LGBT Equality (Gay And Lesbian Medical Association) Concerning the Immutability of Sexual Orientation in Support of Affirmance (Addressing the Merits)
  • Brief for David Benkof, Robert Oscar Lopez, and Doug Mainwaring in Support of Petitioners and Supporting Reversal
  • Brief for Helen M. Alvaré in Support of Hollingsworth and Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group Supporting Reversal (Addressing the Merits) (Also Filed in 12-307
  • Brief for the High Impact Leadership Coalition in Support of Petitioners
  • Brief for International Jurists and Academics in Support of Petitioner Hollingsworth and Respondent Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group Addressing The Merits And Supporting Reversal (also filed in 12-307)
  • Brief for Judicial Watch, Inc. and Allied Educational Foundation in Support of Petitioners
  • Brief for Leon R. Kass, Harvey C. Mansfield and the Institute for Marriage and Public Policy in Support of Petitioners
  • Brief of Liberty Counsel, Inc. and Campaign for Children and Families in Support of Petitioners
  • Brief for the Lighted Candle Society in Support of Petitioners
  • Brief for Marriage Anti-Defamation Alliance in Support of Petitioners
  • Brief for Matthew B. O’Brien in Support of Hollingsworth and Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group of the U.S. House of Representatives Addressing The Merits and Supporting Reversal (Also Filed in 12-307)
  • Brief for Minnesota For Marriage in Support of Petitioners
  • Brief for National Association of Evangelicals; The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention; the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints; the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod; the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America; the Romanian-American Evangelical Alliance of North America; and Truth In Action Ministries in Support of Petitioners
  • Brief for Patrick Henry College in Support of Petitioners
  • Brief for Professor Daniel N. Robinson, Ph.D. in Support of Petitioners and Supporting Reversal
  • Brief for Scholars of History and Related Disciplines in Support of Petitioners
  • Brief for the States of Indiana, Virginia, Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, West Virginia and Wisconsin in Support of the Petitioners (Addressing the Merits)
  • Brief for Social Science Professors in Support of Hollingsworth and Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group Addressing the Merits and Supporting Reversal (also filed in 12-307)
  • Brief for the State Of Michigan in Support of Petitioners
  • Brief for Thirty-Seven Scholars of Federalism and Judicial Restraint in Support of Petitioners
  • Brief for the Thomas More Law Center and Chuck Storey, Imperial County Clerk, in Support of Petitioners (Addressing the Merits)
  • Brief for United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in Support of Petitioners and Supporting Reversal
  • Brief for Utah Pride Center, Campaign for Southern Equality, Equality Federation and Twenty-Five State-Wide Equality Organizations (also filed in 12-307)
  • Brief for Catholic Answers, Christian Legal Society, and Catholic Vote Education Fund in Support of Petitioner Hollingsworth and Respondent Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group and Supporting Reversal (Addressing the Merits) (also filed in 12-307)
  • Brief for Coalition for the Protection of Marriage in Support of Hollingsworth and Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group Addressing the Merits and Supporting Reversal (also filed in 12-307)
  • Brief for Dr. Paul Mchugh in Support of Hollingsworth and Bipartisan Legal Advocacy Group Addressing the Merits and Supporting Reversal (Also Filed in 12-307)
  • Brief for Liberty, Life and Law Foundation and North Carolina Values Coalition in Support of Hollingsworth and Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group Addressing the Merits and Supporting Reversal (also filed in 12-307)
  • Brief for Pacific Legal Foundation, Ward Connerly, Ron Unz, Glynn Custred, and the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association in Support of Neither Party
  • Brief for Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays & Gays in Support of Hollingsworth and Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group of the U.S. House of Representatives Addressing the Merits and Supporting Reversal (also filed in 12-307)
  • Brief for Concerned Women for America in Support of Reversal (Addressing the Merits)
  • Brief for Robert P. George, Sherif Girgis, and Ryan T. Anderson in Support of Hollingsworth and Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group Addressing the Merits and Supporting Reversal (also filed in 12-307)
  • Brief for American Anthropological Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, California, and Robert M. Galatzer-Levy, M.D., in Support of Respondents and Affirmance, Addressing California Proposition 8’s Stigmatizing Effects
  • Brief for Adoption and Child Welfare Advocates in Support of Respondents
  • Brief for the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, the Northern California Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, and the Association of Certified Family Law Specialists in Support of Respondents
  • Brief for California Assembly Speaker John A. Pérez and Law Professors Concerned with Representative Democracy in Support of Respondents
  • Brief for American Companies in Support of Respondents
  • Brief for American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Oranizations and Change To Win in Support of Respondents and Suggesting Affirmance
  • Brief for the American Humanist Association and American Atheists, Inc., American Ethical Union, the Center for Inquiry, Military Association of Atheists and Freethinkers, Secular Coalition for America, Secular Student Alliance, and Society for Humanistic Judaism, in Support of Respondents (Addressing the Merits)
  • Brief for the American Jewish Committee in Support of the Individual Respondents on the Merits (also filed in 12-307)
  • Brief for American Sociological Association in Support of Respondent Kristin M. Perry and Respondent Edith Schlain Windsor (Also Filed in 12-307)
  • Brief for Anti-Defamation League Et Al. in Support of Respondents
  • Brief for Bay Area Lawyers for Individual Freedom, Et Al., in Support of Respondent
  • Brief for Beverly Hills Bar Association, et al., in Support of Respondents
  • Brief for Bishops of the Episcopal Church in the State of California, et al in Support of Respondents and Affirmance
  • Brief for California Assembly Speaker John A. Pérez and Law Professors Concerned With Representative Democracy in Support of Respondents
  • Brief for California Council of Churches, et-al in Support of Respondents and Urging Affirmance
  • Brief for the California Teachers Association and the National Education Association in Support of Respondents
  • Brief for California Professors of Family Law in Support of Respondents
  • Brief for the Cato Institute and Constitutional Accountability Center in Support of Respondents
  • Brief for Chris Kluwe and Brendon Ayanbadejo in Support of Respondents
  • Brief for Columbia Law School Sexuality & Gender Law Clinic and the Society of American Law Teachers in Support of Respondents
  • Brief for Constitutional Law and Civil Procedure Professors Erwin Chemerinsky and Arthur Miller in Support Of Plaintiffs-Respondents Urging Affirmance
  • Brief for Dr. Maria Nieto in Support of Respondents
  • Brief for Edward D. Stein, Joanna L. Grossman, Kerry Abrams, Holning Lau, Katharine B. Silbaugh and 32 Other Professors of Family Law and Constitutional Law in Support of Respondents
  • Brief for Family Equality Council; Colage; Our Family Coalition; Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network; the Center on Children and Families; the Child Rights Project; and Sarah Gogin in Support of Respondents Perry, Stier, Katami, Zarrillo, City and County of San Francisco, and Edith Schlain Windsor, in her Capacity as Executor of the Estate of Thea Clara Spyer, Addressing The Merits And Supporting Affirmance (also filed in 12-307)
  • Brief for Garden State Equality in Support of Respondents
  • Brief for Gary J. Gates in Support of Respondents (On the Merits)
  • Brief for Foreign and Comparative Law Experts Harold Hongju Koh, Sarah H. Cleveland, Laurence R. Helfer, and Ryan Goodman in Support of Respondents
  • Brief for Hon. Judith S. Kaye (Ret.), Profs. Stephen Gillers, Charles G. Geyh, and James J. Alfini, and Mark I. Harrison in Support of Respondents
  • Brief for Howard University School of Law Civil Rights Clinic in Support of Respondents (On The Merits)
  • Brief for International Human Rights Advocates in Support of Respondents
  • Brief for Jonathan Wallace, Meri Wallace and Duncan Pflaster in Support of Respondents
  • Brief for Kenneth B. Mehlman in Support of Respondents
  • Brief for Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund, Inc. and Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders in Support of Respondents
  • Brief for Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, Bar Associations and Public Interest and Legal Service Organizations in Support of Respondents
  • Brief for Marriage Equality USA in Support of Respondents
  • Brief for Massachusetts, Connecticut, Delaware, District Of Columbia, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Vermont and Washington in Support of Respondents
  • Brief for National Center for Lesbian Rights in Support of Respondents
  • Brief for the National Organization for Women Foundation and the Feminist Majority Foundation in Support of Respondents
  • Brief for National Women’s Law Center, Williams Institute Scholars of Sexual Orientation and Gender Law, and Women’s Legal Groups in Support of Respondents (On The Merits)
  • Brief for the Organization of American Historians and the American Studies Association in Support of Respondents
  • Brief for Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, Inc. in Support of Respondents
  • Brief for Political Science Professors in Support of Respondents and Affirmance Addressing Political Power of Gay Men and Lesbians
  • Brief for Rev. Rick Yramategui, Rev. Herb Schmidt, and Rev. Darrell W. Yeaney in Support of Respondents’ Position on the Merits
  • Brief for the Southern Poverty Law Center in Support of Respondents
  • Brief for the State of California in Support of Respondents
  • Brief for Survivors of Sexual Orientation Change Therapies in Support of Respondents Kristin M. Perry, Et Al., and City and County of San Francisco, Urging Affirmance
  • Brief for the United States in Support of the Respondents
  • Brief for Walter Dellinger in Support of Respondents on the Issue of Standing
  • Brief for William N. Eskridge Jr., Rebecca L. Brown, Daniel A. Farber, and Andrew Koppelman in Support of Respondents
  • Brief for the Women’s Equal Rights Legal Defense and Education Fund on the Issue of the Special Interest of Women as a Gender in Support of Respondents
  • Brief for Constitutional Law Scholars Bruce Ackerman, Ash Bhagwat, Lee Bollinger, Erwin Chemerinsky, Michael C. Dorf, Lee Epstein, Barry Friedman, John C. Jeffries, Jr., Lawrence Lessig, William Marshall, Frank Michelman, Jane S. Schacter, Suzanna Sherry, Geoffrey R. Stone, David Strauss, Laurence Tribe, And William Van Alstyne Addressing The Merits And Supporting Affirmance (also filed in 12-307)
  • Brief for Matthew B. O’Brien in Support of Hollingsworth and Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group of the U.S. House of Representatives Addressing the Merits and Supporting Reversal (also filed in 12-307)
  • Brief for Westboro Baptist Church in Support of Neither Party Suggesting Reversal

United States v. Edith Schlain Windsor, in Her Capacity as Executor of the Estate of Thea Clara Spyer, et al. (DOMA)

Merit Briefs

  • Brief for Petitioner United States (On the Jurisdictional Question)
  • Brief for Petitioner United States (On the Merits)
  • Brief for Respondent the Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group of the U.S. House of Representatives (On the Jurisdictional Question)
  • Brief for Respondent the Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group of the U.S. House of Representatives (On the Merits)
  • Brief for Court-Appointed Amica Curiae (On the Jurisdictional Question)
  • Brief for Respondent Edith Schlain Windsor (On the Jurisdictional Question)
  • Brief for Respondent Edith Schlain Windsor (On the Merits)
  • Reply Brief for Court-Appointed Amica Curiae (On the Jurisdictional Question)
  • Reply Brief On Jurisdiction for Respondent The Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group Of The U.S. House of Representatives
  • Reply Brief on the Merits for Respondent the Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group of the United States House of Representatives
  • Reply Brief for Respondent Edith Schlain Windsor (On the Jurisdictional Question)
  • Reply Brief for the United States (on the Jurisdictional Questions)

Amicus Briefs

  • In Support of Petitioner United States and Respondent Edith Schlain Windsor
  • Brief for 172 Members of the U.S. House of Representatives and 40 U.S. Senators in Support of Respondent Edith Schlain Windsor (On the Merits)
  • Brief for 278 Employers and Organizations Representing Employers in Support of Respondent Edith Schlain Windsor (On the Merits)
  • Brief for the American Bar Association in Support of Respondent Edith Schlain Windsor (On the Merits)
  • Brief for the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations, Change to Win, and the National Education Association in Support of Respondent Edith Schlain Windsor
  • Brief for the American Humanist Association and American Atheists, Inc., American Ethical Union, the Center for Inquiry, Military Association of Atheists and Freethinkers, Secular Coalition for America, Secular Student Alliance, and Society for Humanistic Judaism in Support of Respondents (On the Merits)
  • Brief for the American Jewish Committee in Support of Edith Schlain Windsor (On the Merits) (Also filed in 12-144)
  • Brief for the American Psychological Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Medical Association, the American Psychiatric Association, the American Psychoanalytic Association, the California Medical Association, the National Association of Social Workers And its New York City and State Chapters, And the New York State Psychological Association in Support of Respondent Edith Schlain Windsor (On the Merits)
  • Brief for American Sociological Association in Support of Respondent Kristin M. Perry and Respondent Edith Schlain Windsor (Also Filed in 12-144)
  • Brief for the Anti-Defamation League in Support of Respondent Edith Schlain Windsor (On the Merits)
  • Brief for Bishops of the Episcopal Church in California, Connecticut, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Vermont, and Washington and the District Of Columbia; the Jewish Theological Seminary of America; Manhattan Conference of the Metropolitan New York Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America; the Rabbinical Assembly; the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association; Reconstructionist Rabbinical College; Rabbi Akiva Herzfeld of Shaarey Tphiloh; the Union for Reform Judaism; Unitarian Universalist Association; United Church of Christ; the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism; Affirmation; Covenant Network of Presbyterians; Friends for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Concerns; Methodist Federation for Social Action; More Light Presbyterians; Presbyterian Welcome; Reconciling Ministries Network; Reconciling Works: Lutherans for Full Participation; and Religious Institute, Inc. in Support of Respondent Edith Schlain Windsor (On the Merits)
  • Brief for the Cato Institute and Constitutional Accountability Center in Support of Respondent Edith Schlain Windsor
  • Brief for the Center for Fair Administration of Taxes (CFAT) in Support of Respondents
  • Brief for Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington in Support of Respondent Edith Schlain Windsor (On the Merits)
  • Brief for Constitutional Law Scholars in Support of Petitioner United States (On the Jurisdictional Questions)
  • Brief for Constitutional Law Scholars Bruce Ackerman, Ash Bhagwat, Lee Bollinger, Erwin Chemerinsky, Michael C. Dorf, Lee Epstein, Barry Friedman, John C. Jeffries, Jr., Lawrence Lessig, William Marshall, Frank Michelman, Jane S. Schacter, Suzanna Sherry, Geoffrey R. Stone, David Strauss, Laurence Tribe, and William Van Alstyne in Support of Respondent Edith Schlain Windsor (On the Merits) (Also filed in 12-144)
  • Brief for Dr. Donna E. Shalala, Dr. Louis W. Sullivan, Togo D. West Jr., Kenneth S. Apfel, Sheldon S. Cohen, Rudy F. Deleon, Jamie S. Gorelick, Michael J. Graetz, Dr. John J. Hamre, Benjamin W. Heineman Jr., Kathryn O. Higgins, Constance Berry Newman, and Harriet S. Rabb in Support of Respondent Edith Schlain Windsor
  • Brief for the Empire State Pride Agenda, Equality California, Equal Rights Washington, One Iowa, Equality Maryland, Vermont Freedom to Marry, Massequality, New Hampshire Freedom to Marry Coalition and Equality Maine in Support of Respondent Edith Schlain Windsor (On the Jurisdictional Question)
  • Brief for Family Equality Council; Colage; Our Family Coalition; Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network; the Center on Children and Families; the Child Rights Project; and Sarah Gogin in Support of Respondent Edith Schlain Windsor (On the Merits)(Also filed in 12-144)
  • Brief for Family Law Professors and the American Academy Of Matrimonial Lawyers in Support of Respondent Edith Schlain Windsor (On the Merits)
  • Brief for Federalism Scholars in Support of Respondent Edith Schlain Windsor
  • Brief for Former Federal Election Commission Officials in Support of Respondent Edith Schlain Windsor (On the Merits)
  • Brief for Former Federal Intelligence Officer in Support of Petitioner United States and Respondent Edith Schlain Windsor (On the Merits)
  • Brief for Former Senators Bill Bradley, Tom Daschle, Christopher J. Dodd, and Alan K. Simpson on the Merits in Support of Respondent Edith Schlain Windsor (On the Merits)
  • Brief for Former Senior Justice Department Officials and Former Counsels to the President in Support of Petitioner United States (On the Jurisdictional Question)
  • Brief for GLMA: Health Professionals Advancing LGBT Equality Concerning the Immutability of Sexual Orientation in Support of Affirmance (On the Merits)
  • Brief for Gary J. Gates in Support of Respondent Edith Schlain Windsor (On the Merits)
  • Brief for Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders and Lambda Legal Defense & Education Fund, Inc. in Support of Petitioner Unite States and Respondent Edith Schlain Windsor (On the Merits)
  • Brief for Historians, American Historical Society, et al. in Support of Respondent Edith Schlain Windsor (On the Merits)
  • Brief for the Honorable John K. Olson in Support of Respondent Edith Schlain Windsor (On the Jurisdictional Question)
  • Brief for the Honorable John K. Olson in Support of Respondent Edith Schlain Windsor (On the Merits)
  • Brief for Honorable Lawrence J. Korb, Radm. Thomas F. Atkin, Bg. Roosevelt Barfield, Dr. Coit D. Blacker, Gen. Wesley K. Clark, Richard Clarke, Hon. William Cohen, Cdr. Beth Coye, Hon. Russell D. Feingold, Bg. Evelyn Foote, Ltg. Robert G. Gard, Jr., et al. in Support of Respondent Edith Schlain Windsor (On the Merits)
  • Brief for Institute for Justice in Support of Respondent Edith Schlain Windsor (On the Merits)
  • Brief for Los Angeles County Bar Association and Armed Forces Committee of the Los Angeles County Bar Association in Support of Respondent Edith Schlain Windsor
  • Brief for Family and Child Welfare Law Professors in Support of Respondent Edith Schlain Windsor (On the Merits)
  • Brief for Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, Bar Associations and Public Interest and Legal Service Organizations in Support of Respondent Edith Schlain Windsor
  • Brief for NAACP Legal Defense & Educational Fund, Inc. in Support of Respondent Edith Schlain Windsor (On the Merits)
  • Brief for National Women’s Law Center, Williams Institute Scholars of Sexual Orientation and Gender Law, and Women’s Legal Groups in Support of Respondent Edith Schlain Windsor (On the Merits)
  • Brief for New York, Massachusetts, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington, and the District of Columbia, in Support of Respondent Edith Schlain Windsor (On the Merits)
  • Brief for the Organization of American Historians and the American Studies Association in Support of Respondent Edith Schlain Windsor
  • Brief for OutServe-SLDN Inc. in Support of Respondent Edith Schlain Windsor (On the Merits)
  • Brief for the Partnership for New York City in Support of Respondent Windsor and Affirmance of the Second Circuit (on the Merits)
  • Brief for Political Science Professors in Support of Respondent Edith Schlain Windsor (On the Merits)
  • Brief for Professors Nan D. Hunter, Suzanne B. Goldberg, Kathryn Abrams, Katherine M. Franke, Burt Neuborne, and Angela P. Harris Addressing The Merits in Support of Respondent Edith Schlain Windsor
  • Brief for Scholars of the Constitutional Rights of Children in Support of Respondent Edith Schlain Windsor (On the Merits)
  • Brief for Services and Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Elders (Sage), the National Senior Citizens Law Center, the American Society on Aging, the National Hispanic Council on Aging, the Southeast Asia Resource Action Center, and the National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives in Support of Respondent Edith Schlain Windsor (On the Merits)
  • Brief for Survivors of Sexual Orientation Change Therapies in Support of Petitioner United States of America and Respondent Edith Schlain Windsor

 

  • In Support of Respondent Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group of the U.S. House of Representatives
  • Brief for the American Civil Rights Union in Support of Respondent Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group (On the Merits)
  • Brief for the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty in Support of Respondent Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group (On the Merits) (Also filed in 12-144)
  • Brief for the Beverly Lahaye Institute and the National Legal Foundation In Support of Respondent Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group (On the Merits)
  • Brief for Catholic Answers, Christian Legal Society, and Catholic Vote Education Fund in Support of Respondent Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group (On the Merits) (Also Filed in 12-144)
  • Brief for Center for Constitutional Jurisprudence in Support of Respondent Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group (On the Jurisdictional Question)
  • Brief for Chaplain Alliance for Religious Liberty, et al., in Support of Respondent the Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group (On the Merits)
  • Brief for Citizens United’s National Committee for Family, Faith and Prayer, Citizens United Fdn., U.S. Justice Fdn., Gun Owners of America, Inc., Gun Owners Fdn., The Lincoln Institute, Public Advocate of the U.S., Declaration Alliance, Western Center for Journalism, Institute on the Constitution, Abraham Lincoln Foundation, English First, English First Fdn., CLDEF, Protect Marriage MD PAC, Delegate Bob Marshall, and Senator Dick Black in Support of Respondent Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group (On the Jurisdictional Question)
  • Brief for Citizens United’s National Committee for Family, Faith and Prayer, Citizens United Foundation, U.S. Justice Foundation, Gun Owners Foundation, The Lincoln Institute, Public Advocate of the U.S., Declaration Alliance, Western Center for Journalism, Institute on the Constitution, Abraham Lincoln Foundation, Conservative Legal Defense and Education Fund, English First, Protect Marriage Maryland PAC, Delegate Bob Marshall, and Senator Dick Black in Support of Respondent Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group (On the Merits)
  • Brief for Coalition for the Protection of Marriage in Support of Respondent Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group (On the Merits) (Also filed in 12-144)
  • Brief for Concerned Women for America in Support of Respondent Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group (On the Merits)
  • Brief for David Boyle in Support of Respondent Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group (On the Merits)
  • Brief for Dovid Z. Schwartz in Support of Respondent Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group
  • Brief for Dr. Paul McHugh in Support of Respondent Bipartisan Legal Advocacy Group (On the Merits) (Also filed in 12-144)
  • Brief for Eagle Forum Education & Legal Defense Fund, Inc., in Support of Respondent Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group (On the Merits)
  • Brief for the Family Research Council in Support of Respondent Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group (On the Merits)
  • Brief for Foundation for Moral Law in Support of Respondent Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group
  • Brief for Helen M. Alvaré in Support of Hollingsworth and Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group (On the Merits) (Also Filed in 12-144)
  • Brief for Indiana and 16 Other States in Support of Respondent the Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group (On the Merits)
  • Brief for International Jurists and Academics in Support of Respondent Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group (On the Merits) (Also filed in 12-144)
  • Brief for Law Professors in Support of Respondent Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group (On the Merits)
  • Brief for Liberty Counsel in Support of Respondent Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group (On the Merits)
  • Brief for Liberty, Life and Law Foundation and North Carolina Values Coalition in Support of Respondent Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group (On the Merits) (also filed in 12-144)
  • Brief for Manhattan Declaration in Support of Respondent Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group (On the Merits)
  • Brief for Matthew B. O’Brien in Support of Hollingsworth and Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group (On the Merits)(Also filed in 12-144)
  • Brief for National Association of Evangelicals; the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention; the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints; the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod; the Romanian-American Evangelical Alliance of North America; and Truth in Action Ministries in Support of Respondent Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group (On the Merits)
  • Brief for National Organization for Marriage in Support of Respondent Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group (On the Merits)
  • Brief for Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays & Gays in Support of Respondent Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group (On the Merits) (Also filed in 12-144)
  • Brief for Robert P. George, Sherif Girgis, and Ryan T. Anderson in Support of Respondent Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group (On the Merits) (Also filed in 12-144)
  • Brief for Social Science Professors in Support of Respondent Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group (On the Merits) (Also filed in 12-144)
  • Brief for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in Support of Respondent Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group (On the Merits)
  • Brief for United States Senators Orrin G. Hatch, Saxby Chambliss, Dan Coats, Thad Cochran, Mike Crapo, Charles Grassley, Lindsey Graham, Mitch McConnell, Richard Shelbe and Roger Wicker in Support of Respondent Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group (On the Merits)
  • Brief for Utah Pride Center, Campaign for Southern Equality, Equality Federation and Twenty-Five State-Wide Equality Organizations (Also filed in 12-144)
  • Brief for Westboro Baptist Church in Support of Neither Party Suggesting Reversal (On the Merits)