Document ID: ./input/supremecourt_opinions/opinions/14pdf/14-556_3204.pdf
Page Number: 69.0

Cite as:  576 U. S. ____ (2015) 

1 

SCALIA, J., dissenting 

SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES 

_________________ 

Nos. 14–556, 14-562, 14-571 and 14–574 
_________________ 

14–556 

JAMES OBERGEFELL, ET AL., PETITIONERS 
v. 
RICHARD HODGES, DIRECTOR, OHIO 
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, ET AL.; 

14–562 

VALERIA TANCO, ET AL., PETITIONERS 
v. 
BILL HASLAM, GOVERNOR OF 
TENNESSEE, ET AL.; 

14–571 

APRIL DEBOER, ET AL., PETITIONERS 
v. 
RICK SNYDER, GOVERNOR OF MICHIGAN,  
ET AL.; AND 

14–574 

GREGORY BOURKE, ET AL., PETITIONERS 
v. 
STEVE BESHEAR, GOVERNOR OF  
KENTUCKY 

ON WRITS OF CERTIORARI TO THE UNITED STATES COURT OF 
APPEALS FOR THE SIXTH CIRCUIT 

[June 26, 2015]

 JUSTICE  SCALIA,  with  whom  JUSTICE  THOMAS  joins,

dissenting. 

I join THE CHIEF JUSTICE’s opinion in full.  I write sepa-
rately  to  call  attention  to  this  Court’s  threat  to  American
democracy.

The  substance  of  today’s  decree  is  not  of  immense  per-
sonal  importance  to  me.    The  law  can  recognize  as  mar-
riage  whatever  sexual  attachments  and  living  arrange-
ments  it  wishes,  and  can  accord  them  favorable  civil 
consequences, from tax treatment to rights of inheritance.