°µºÚ±¬ÁÏ

One argument used by conservatives in the Supreme Court cases is that gay Americans have become so politically powerful that they don't need special attention from the courts. Whether or not that's true, it's clear that advocacy groups for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community have built a strong network of lobbyists and political activists in Washington.

When the Defense of Marriage Act passed in 1996, it had strong bipartisan support. All of the 15 sitting Democrats who voted for it are now against it. But so far, Sen. Rob Portman is the only current Republican Senator to change his mind.

Maggie Gallagher is one of the nation's most public opponents of gay marriage. These days, she's thinking more about how to continue advocating for marriage between one man and one woman, even as society's views — and laws — are shifting rapidly.

Opponents of gay marriage have long argued that children's best interests require both a mom and a dad. Recently, however, the children of same-sex couples have started speaking for themselves, advocating for gay marriage.

For the first time, the American Academy of Pediatrics says it favors civil marriage for same-gender couples. The leading group of pediatricians in the U.S. also supports parents' full rights to adopt or provide foster care regardless of their sexual orientation.

The Supreme Court hears two gay marriage cases next week. These will be the next major steps on a path the country has traveled for decades. Those who have been affected by the gay marriage battle reflect on the changes so far.

Having a gay friend or family member has led many Americans to change their stance from opposing to supporting same-sex marriage.

The move is seen by many as aimed at bolstering a key constituency ahead of a run for the White House in 2016.

The Ohio Republican, who was on the short list of 2012 vice presidential possibilities, told reporters that he's now thinking about the issues as "a dad who loves his son a lot and wants him to have the same opportunities that his brother and sister would have."

Times were different when he signed the law in 1996, the former president writes in The Washington Post. Today, he says, the act that defines marriage as between a man and a woman discriminates against same-sex couples who have become legally married.