It’s decision time for the supreme court. 30 cases await final opinions some of them on major, controversial issues from affirmative action to same sex marriage. And the answers to these cases could have a big impact on the lives of millions of Americans. CNN's Senior Political Analyst and the Editorial Director for the National Journal Ron Brownstein weighs in on these upcoming decisions.
Washington (CNN) - It's not often that people camp out for days waiting on a courtroom seat. Then again, it's not often that a court case offers the blend of emotional drama, legal significance and widespread social impact promised by Tuesday's U.S. Supreme Court arguments on same-sex marriage.
At stake: nothing less than how America defines marriage.
People who have camped outside the Supreme Court building in frigid temperatures and snow - some since Thursday - will file inside Tuesday morning to watch attorneys argue for and against California's Proposition 8.
The voter-approved ballot initiative banned same-sex marriage in California.Activists on both sides of the issue will stay outside to stage competing rallies.
On Wednesday, justices will hear arguments in a separate case involving the federal Defense of Marriage Act, which, like the California law, defines marriage as between a man and a woman.
This morning on "Starting Point," California Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom weighs in on the arguments before the Supreme Court, and explains why he still thinks there is a lot of work to be done for marriage equality.
READ MORE: Same-sex marriage: A potential Supreme Court blockbuster
CNN senior legal analyst Jeff Toobin previews the same-sex marriage arguments before the U.S. Supreme Court.
Sen. Rob Portman, a conservative Republican from Ohio, announced his support for same-sex marriage in an exclusive interview on CNN. Portman, who has voted for the Defense of Marriage Act in the past, says he had a change of heart on the issue after learning that his 21-year-old son is gay.
"I've come to the conclusion that for me, personally, I think this is something that we should allow people to do, to get married, and to have the joy and stability of marriage that I've had for over 26 years. That I want all of my children to have, including our son, who is gay," Portman told CNN's Chief Congressional Correspondent Dana Bash.
Portman, who was on Mitt Romney's short list for vice presidential candidates, says he told Romney about his son when he was vetted to be the Republican candidate's running mate for the 2012 election. While Paul Ryan was ultimately chosen over the Ohio senator, Portman says his son's sexuality did not play a role in the decision.
Dana Bash joins "Starting Point" on Friday to discuss her exclusive interview with Portman and why he decided to open up about his reversal on same-sex marriage.
A Maryland state politician, Delegate Emmett Burns, Jr., has drawn national attention for attempting to silence Baltimore Ravens linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo for supporting same-sex marriage. The straight and current NFL player, Ayanbadejo, joins the openly gay and former Tennessee Titans NFL player, Wade Davis, in a discussion on how Americans and NFL players are becoming more open to same-sex marriage.
“I think the problem most players have is the tie between religion and equal rights,” Ayanbadejo says. “Once you get over that barrier, guys say ‘love is love’ and you should be able to marry who you love. It’s really a changing of the guard in the football community, because even 12 months ago when I was doing Op/Eds for marriage equality I would still hear certain snickering in the background, so I think we’ve changed the tide and we’ve come a long way in a short period of time.”
Gay Marriage USA founder Murray Lipp on why he started a petition to move the DNC convention out of North Carolina.
GOProud co-founder Chris Barron says President Obama's same sex marriage endorsement is a political move.
Openly gay Rep. Jared Polis (D-Colo.) reacts to President Obama's endorsement of same sex marriage.
Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship's Dr. Tony Evans on the rejection of President Obama's endorsement of same sex marriage and how redefining marriage could shake the foundation of family.
Richard Socarides, writer for TheNewYorker.com and former senior adviser for Bill Clinton, discusses the political risks that Obama may have taken by choosing to endorse the legalization of same sex marriage.