Bloglander

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As you have definitely heard — or at least seen red equals signs about — the Supreme Court has started hearing two important marriage equality cases. The justices will get to a review of California's Proposition 8, which banned same-sex marriages in that state, but they're starting with the Defense of Marriage Act. The act prevents same-sex couples from receiving federal marriage benefits, even if their state (like Washington) recognizes their union. We're here to catch you up.

How did this all start? (NYT)

What are the justices saying? (NPR)

What if I want to read or hear the arguments, word for word, myself? (WashPo) 

How are Americans feeling about gay marriage these days? (Pew)

Any idea which way the justices might be leaning?

What will this ruling mean for gay and lesbian couples? (Forbes) What about LGBT troops? (Politico)

And in what we're guessing is your most burning question, what does Stephen Colbert have to say?