How has the Supreme Court interpreted the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment?

The Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment states that no state shall “deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.” Since its adoption in 1868, the Supreme Court has interpreted the Equal Protection Clause to provide greater protection of an individual’s rights than simply those guaranteed by the Constitution. The Supreme Court has held that the Equal Protection Clause applies to all persons, no matter their race, gender, or sexual orientation. This means that a state cannot discriminate based on these factors. For example, the Supreme Court has held that states must recognize same-sex marriage, as well as allow individuals to use the bathroom according to their gender identity. Additionally, the Supreme Court has held that the Equal Protection Clause requires state governments to treat similarly situated individuals equally. This is known as the “equal protection test” and requires that states treat individuals in similar circumstances in the same manner. For example, if one state requires voters to obtain an ID in order to cast a ballot, the state must make sure that individuals in similar circumstances can have access to an voter ID. The Supreme Court’s interpretation of the Equal Protection Clause has been used to protect the rights of individuals throughout Virginia and across the country. The Clause’s protections are constantly evolving and being extended to new groups in order to guarantee the rights of all individuals.

How has the Supreme Court interpreted the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment?

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