About the Voices of Children briefs
The Voices of Children briefs were instrumental in achieving the successful Obergefell Supreme Court ruling that made marriage equality the law of the land in 2015. Since then, Family Equality has continued to elevate the voices of children of LGBTQ+ families, most recently in Pavan v. Smith, a case addressing the right of same-sex parents to be listed on their children’s birth certificate.
The Voices of Children timeline
April 2023
Family Equality joins with allied organizations in filing an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in the cases of United States v. Windsor, challenging Section 3 of the “Defense of Marriage Act” (DOMA) and Hollingsworth v. Perry, challenging California’s Proposition 8. The brief reflects the voices of children with LGBTQ+ parents who are uniquely equipped to speak to how marriage equality will benefit their families.
June 2013
Justice Anthony Kennedy refers to the 2013 “Voices of Children” amicus brief during oral arguments before the Supreme Court in Hollingsworth v. Perry.
2014
Family Equality files amicus briefs with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit in two cases challenging Virginia’s ban on marriage for same-sex couples. We file similar briefs in cases in Nevada, Hawaii, Utah, and Oklahoma.
2014
Family Equality jointly files an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in Kitchen v. Herbert (Utah), Bishop v. Smith (Oklahoma), and Bostic v. Rainey (Virginia).
March 2015
Family Equality, COLAGE, and Kentucky youth Kinsey Morrison file an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in support of challenges to marriage bans for same-sex couples from Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and Tennessee. The brief also includes the voices of LGBTQ+ youth who will be the next generation of LGBTQ+ parents.
June 2015
Justice Kennedy references the “Voices of Children” brief in his opinion for Obergefell v. Hodges.
Amicus Brief Filed In Doma And Prop 8 Cases Presents Voices Of Children
AMICUS BRIEF FILED IN DOMA AND PROP 8 CASES PRESENTS VOICES OF CHILDREN“It really hurts me that my family isn’t recognized by the government, it
DOMA Struck Down/Marriage Restored To California
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Family Equality Council Hails Supreme Court Rulings on Marriage Equality The Voices of Children Key to Decision by Justices Washington DC – (June
Family Equality Council Files “Voices of Children” Amicus Brief in Historic Utah Marriage Equality Case
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE “My family is no different than any other family and it makes me mad that people try to tell the courts and
