Theodore Olson, the former solicitor general who famously argued in the Bush v. Gore presidential case, says it’s too late for the nation to turn back the gay marriage clock — the Supreme Court’s failure to act has pretty much ushered in an era that’s going to stick.
“I do not believe that the United States Supreme Court could rule that all of those laws prohibiting marriage are suddenly constitutional after all these individuals have gotten married and their rights have changed,” Mr. Olson said, in Capital Download.
“To have that snatched away, it seems to me, would be inhuman. It would be cruel. And it would be inconsistent with what the Supreme Court has said about these issues in the cases that it has rendered.”
Mr. Olson said that the country has reached “the point of no return” on gay marriage, USA Today reported.
Mr. Olson has been a longtime advocate for gay marriage — despite his conservative roots and service in both Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush administrations.
He joined in 2009 with another lawyer, David Boies — the same lawyer he fought in the Bush v. Gore ballot-counting case — to challenge California’s ban on gay marriage.
Fast-forward to today, and 32 states allow same-sex marriage.
“We never thought it would move this fast,” he said, of the trend of states to pick up gay marriage rights.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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