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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Our View: Learning to survive ... Techtoberfest event was a rousing success ... Jeffrey Gillespie: Hillary Clinton’s big night ... Our View: Learning to survive ... Techtoberfest event was a rousing success ... Jeffrey Gillespie: Hillary Clinton’s big night ... OUR VIEW Our View: Reading the tea leaves Comment DailyTidings.com Writer Posted May. 1, 2015 at 12:01 AM Posted May. 1, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Social News Oral arguments on same-sex marriage before the U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday contained few surprises, with Justice Anthony Kennedy and Chief Justice John Roberts hinting they might consider upholding lower court rulings that struck down state marriage bans. Oregon has a stake in the decision, expected in June. Last May, U.S. District Judge Michael McShane struck down the Oregon Constitution's ban on same-sex marriage, saying it violated the Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution because it discriminated on the basis of sexual orientation "without a rational relationship to any legitimate government interest." As expected, the court's four liberal justices were critical of arguments by states defending marriage bans, and the conservatives were skeptical of backers of same-sex unions, saying the question should be left up to voters, not dictated by the courts. Kennedy's questions indicated he might go either way on the decision. Lower court judges who have overturned state marriage bans have cited Kennedy's written opinion in a case striking down a federal ban, and observers have expected him to be a swing vote. Roberts appeared skeptical of declaring a constitutional right to marry. But the chief justice also suggested he might be looking for a less-sweeping way to allow same-sex marriage: “I mean, if Sue loves Joe and Tom loves Joe, Sue can marry him and Tom can’t. And the difference is based upon their different sex. Why isn’t that a straightforward question of sexual discrimination?” Why, indeed? Couples across the country will be waiting to hear his answer. DailyTidings.com Writer Posted May. 1, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with DailyTidings.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Alerts Email alerts RSS feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. DailyTidings.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501