Document ID: ./input/supremecourt_opinions/opinions/14pdf/14-556_3204.pdf
Page Number: 68

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

29 

ROBERTS, C. J., dissenting 

tion of marriage—have acted to “lock . . . out,” “disparage,”
“disrespect  and  subordinate,”  and  inflict  “[d]ignitary
wounds”  upon  their  gay  and  lesbian  neighbors.    Ante,  at 
17, 19, 22, 25.  These apparent assaults on the character of
fairminded  people  will  have  an  effect,  in  society  and  in 
court.  See post, at 6–7 (ALITO, J., dissenting).  Moreover, 
they are entirely gratuitous.  It is one thing for the major-
ity  to  conclude  that  the  Constitution  protects  a  right  to
same-sex  marriage;  it  is  something  else  to  portray  every-
one  who  does  not  share  the  majority’s  “better  informed 
understanding” as bigoted.  Ante, at 19. 

In  the  face  of  all  this,  a  much  different  view  of  the 
Court’s  role  is  possible.    That  view  is  more  modest  and 
restrained.  It  is  more  skeptical  that  the  legal  abilities  of 
judges  also  reflect  insight  into  moral  and  philosophical 
issues.  It  is  more  sensitive  to  the  fact  that  judges  are 
unelected  and  unaccountable,  and  that  the  legitimacy  of 
their power depends on confining it to the exercise of legal 
judgment.  It is more attuned to the lessons of history, and 
what  it  has  meant  for  the  country  and  Court  when  Jus-
tices  have  exceeded  their  proper  bounds.    And  it  is  less 
pretentious than to suppose that while people around the
world  have  viewed  an  institution  in  a  particular  way  for 
thousands  of  years,  the  present  generation  and  the  pre-
sent Court are the ones chosen to burst the bonds of that 
history and tradition. 

* 

* 

* 
If  you  are  among  the  many  Americans—of  whatever
sexual  orientation—who  favor  expanding  same-sex  mar-
riage,  by  all  means  celebrate  today’s  decision.  Celebrate 
the  achievement  of  a  desired  goal.    Celebrate  the  oppor-
tunity  for  a  new  expression  of  commitment  to  a  partner. 
Celebrate  the  availability  of  new  benefits.  But  do  not 
celebrate the Constitution.  It had nothing to do with it.

I respectfully dissent.