U.S. Supreme Court's Decision To Step Back Into Gay Marriage Debate Stirs Both Sides

DAVIS (CBS13) — Davis resident Ellen Pontac immediately started decorating her lawn after hearing the U.S. Supreme Court will take up the issue of gay marriage.

"I thought I'd never have really that much use for these signs again but they're staying up now," she said.

She and her partner, Shelly Bailes, have been legally married in California for six years, and together for 41. They've worked on the marriage equality movement for 15 years and have seen change.

"People realize that our relationship is just like everyone else's…that it's just as important and we should be treated equally," Bailes said.

The Supreme Court will consider two questions—whether the Constitution requires states to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, and whether states must recognize same-sex marriages performed elsewhere.

Across the nation, 36 states, including California, now allow gay marriage.

Opponents say they will also be watching closely. Richard Montgomery, the director of affairs for the Sacramento Area Church of Latter-Day Saints said, "We very much believe that marriage is between a man and a woman, that's what we believe in. But we will abide by the law of the country. everybody needs to abide by it."

The case will be argued in April, and a decision could be made at the end of June.