The State of Alaska is continuing to support a suit which would keep the state’s constitutional definition of marriage as “between one man and one woman.”
In preparation for a hearing later this month which would challenge that position, Alaska and 14 other states filed briefs with the U.S. Supreme Court. The briefs argue that states have the right to define marriage within their own borders and federal rulings don’t trump state constitutions, particularly in Alaska where the definition was passed by voters.
Alaska is part of the 9th Circuit, where the appeals court ruled last year that bans on same-sex marriage violate the constitution. A district court judge overturned the clause in the Alaskan constitution.
The cases were brought to the Supreme Court by Michigan, Ohio, Tennessee and Kentucky.
Oral arguments are scheduled for April 28.