Supreme Court justices skeptical of redefining marriage

Ariane de Vogue Pamela Brown
By Ariane de Vogue, Pamela Brown and Jeremy Diamond, CNN
5 minute read
Updated 9:50 PM EDT, Tue April 28, 2015
Outside the Supreme Court of the United States, people hold signs calling for "equal justice under law."
Outside the Supreme Court of the United States, people hold signs calling for "equal justice under law."
Casey Capachi/CNN
A group against same-sex marriage prays in an "appeal to heaven" outside the Supreme Court.
A group against same-sex marriage prays in an "appeal to heaven" outside the Supreme Court.
Casey Capachi/CNN
Catherine Quinn of Detroit holds up her sign supporting same-sex marriage outside the Supreme Court.
Catherine Quinn of Detroit holds up her sign supporting same-sex marriage outside the Supreme Court.
Casey Capachi/CNN
Pastor Larry Hickam holds a sign of what he says is the definition of marriage outside the Supreme Court.
Pastor Larry Hickam holds a sign of what he says is the definition of marriage outside the Supreme Court.
Casey Capachi/CNN
Kevin Rosseel of Washington stands outside the Supreme Court with his sign in support of same-sex marriage.
Kevin Rosseel of Washington stands outside the Supreme Court with his sign in support of same-sex marriage.
Casey Capachi/CNN
Stephanie Jones and Diana Iwanski of Clermont, Florida, share their sign in support of same-sex marriage outside the Supreme Court.
Stephanie Jones and Diana Iwanski of Clermont, Florida, share their sign in support of same-sex marriage outside the Supreme Court.
Casey Capachi/CNN
Sarah Rauber of Maryland stands in front of the Supreme Court.
Sarah Rauber of Maryland stands in front of the Supreme Court.
Casey Capachi/CNN
McKenna Inskeep hands out stickers in support of marriage equality outside the Supreme Court.
McKenna Inskeep hands out stickers in support of marriage equality outside the Supreme Court.
Casey Capachi/CNN
Mike May of Cleveland argues against same-sex marriage in a debate outside the Supreme Court.
Mike May of Cleveland argues against same-sex marriage in a debate outside the Supreme Court.
Casey Capachi/CNN
Outside the Supreme Court, John Lewis and Stuart Gaffney of San Francisco hold signs celebrating their marriage.
Outside the Supreme Court, John Lewis and Stuart Gaffney of San Francisco hold signs celebrating their marriage.
Casey Capachi/CNN
Senior Novice Sister Sedusa Poly Tishun shows off her face paint outside the Supreme Court. "We're here raising up our voices and our glitter in shouts of joy in support of marriage equality," Tishun said.
Senior Novice Sister Sedusa Poly Tishun shows off her face paint outside the Supreme Court. "We're here raising up our voices and our glitter in shouts of joy in support of marriage equality," Tishun said.
Casey Capachi/CNN
Andrew Damron of Brooklyn, New York, holds up a sign with the motto "You Only Live Once" in support of same-sex marriage.
Andrew Damron of Brooklyn, New York, holds up a sign with the motto "You Only Live Once" in support of same-sex marriage.
Casey Capachi/CNN
Andrew Zibell of Brooklyn, New York, holds a sign in front of the Supreme Court that shows his support of same-sex marriage.
Andrew Zibell of Brooklyn, New York, holds a sign in front of the Supreme Court that shows his support of same-sex marriage.
Casey Capachi/CNN
Senior Novice Sisters Ray Deeo Active and Allie Lewya show off their face paint in support of same-sex marriage.
Senior Novice Sisters Ray Deeo Active and Allie Lewya show off their face paint in support of same-sex marriage.
Casey Capachi/CNN
The many signs of #SCOTUS

Story highlights

Questions Tuesday centered on whether defining marriage should be left to voters in individual states or decided by judicial system

Chief Justice John Roberts, who shocked conservatives with his swing vote to uphold Obamacare, seemed to lean conservative

Eyes on Justice Anthony Kennedy, a key vote for challengers to the state bans, who has penned decisions in favor of gay rights

Washington CNN  — 

Supreme Court justices appeared divided Tuesday during historic arguments over the constitutionality of gay marriage, with Justice Anthony Kennedy returning to a familiar role as the court’s pivotal vote.

Chief Justice John Roberts – who shocked conservatives with his swing vote to uphold Obamacare – this time seemed to lean more closely to conservative justices.

The arguments unfurled inside a packed courtroom on Tuesday while supporters and opponents of same-sex marriage rallied outside – with one protester even interrupting the arguments from within.

Carlos McKnight of Washington, waves a flag in support of gay marriage outside of the Supreme Court in Washington, Friday June 26, 2015. A major opinion on gay marriage is among the remaining to be released before the term ends at the end of June. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
Carlos McKnight of Washington, waves a flag in support of gay marriage outside of the Supreme Court in Washington, Friday June 26, 2015. A major opinion on gay marriage is among the remaining to be released before the term ends at the end of June. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
Jacquelyn Martin/AP
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Same-sex marriage in the U.S.

RELATED: How a Cincinnati judge could shape the gay marriage case

Many questions on Tuesday centered around the definition of marriage and whether the decision to authorize or ban gay marriage should be left to voters in individual states or decided by the judicial system.