BREAKING: Supreme Court to Announce Ruling on Marriage Equality

The Advocate has learned a ruling from the Supreme Court will be announced shortly.

Dawn Ennis

The Advocate's news editor Dawn Ennis successfully transitioned from broadcast journalism to online media following another transition that made headlines; in 2013, she became the first trans staffer in any major TV network newsroom. As the first out transgender editor at The Advocate, the native New Yorker continues her 30-year media career, in which she has earned more than a dozen awards, including two Emmys. With the blessing of her three children, Dawn retains the most important job title she's ever held: Dad.

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Dawn Ennis

June 15 2015 1:33 AM EST

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November 17 2015 5:28 AM EST

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The U.S. Supreme Court announced today the nine justices are about to issue their ruling on marriage equality, specifically, the question of whether the Constitution requires states to allow same-sex marriages.

They also are expected to reveal what they decided about whether states can prohibit same-sex marriages, but still be required to recognize legal same-sex marriages performed elsewhere.

This question only matters if the states win on the marriage question; if the court were to rule that each state is constitutionally required to allow same-sex marriages by its own citizens, it becomes a no-issue.

Following the hearings in late April, some court watchers suggested that Chief Justice John Roberts's questions during the second part of the oral argument could be part of an effort to broker a compromise. This deal, goes the theory, has the Supreme Court ruling there is no constitutional right to same-sex marriage but that the Constitution requires states to recognize same-sex marriages from other jurisdictions.

Experts say, however, it's important to note the fact Justice Anthony Kennedy, who is probably the best bet to join the court's more liberal Justices to strike down the bans, was quiet during the arguments on the recognition question.

Court watchers have suggested that his silence could mean he had already decided to rule for the plaintiffs on the first question, eliminating any need to worry about the second one as his would be the deciding vote between the liberal and conservative justices, should they vote according to their political leanings.