Metro Weekly

Scalia Rejects “Anti-Gay” Moniker

Supreme Court justice's remarks seen as indicator of how he'll rule on marriage equality cases

“Don’t paint me as anti-gay or anti-abortion or anything else. All I’m doing on the Supreme Court is opining about who should decide: Is it a matter left to the people, or is it a matter of my responsibility as a justice of the Supreme Court?”

 Antonin_Scalia.jpg

— U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, as quoted by The Washington Post during a speaking appearance with Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Thursday night, sponsored by the Smithsonian Associates and moderated by NPR’s Nina Totenberg.

Scalia defended his conservative views, saying he believes that in a democracy the majority of people get to decide on rights not specifically enumerated in the U.S. Constitution. Scalia also said that the Constitution should be interpreted with an “originalist understanding” that is not “subject to whimsical change by five of nine votes on the Supreme Court.” Court observers believe that comments made by both Scalia and Ginsburg at Thursday’s event are telegraphing how they will rule when several cases challenging the constitutionality of bans on same-sex marriage are heard by the Supreme Court later this year.

Support Metro Weekly’s Journalism

These are challenging times for news organizations. And yet it’s crucial we stay active and provide vital resources and information to both our local readers and the world. So won’t you please take a moment and consider supporting Metro Weekly with a membership? For as little as $5 a month, you can help ensure Metro Weekly magazine and MetroWeekly.com remain free, viable resources as we provide the best, most diverse, culturally-resonant LGBTQ coverage in both the D.C. region and around the world. Memberships come with exclusive perks and discounts, your own personal digital delivery of each week’s magazine (and an archive), access to our Member's Lounge when it launches this fall, and exclusive members-only items like Metro Weekly Membership Mugs and Tote Bags! Check out all our membership levels here and please join us today!