WASHINGTON (CNN)-- The Supreme Court will tackle the contentious issue of same-sex marriage and hear two constitutional challenges to state and federal laws dealing with the recognition of gay and lesbian couples to legally wed.
The one-page order issued Friday by the justices will make this issue one of the most important in the court's history, and comes
weeks after voters approved same-sex marriages in three states.
Oral arguments in the high court appeal will likely be held in March, with a ruling by late June.
