How has the Supreme Court interpreted the equal protection clause of the US Constitution?

The Equal Protection Clause of the US Constitution, found in the 14th Amendment, promises that all persons are to be treated equally under the law. The Supreme Court has interpreted this clause to mean that the government must treat all citizens, regardless of race, gender, etc., fairly and equally. In the landmark Brown v. Board of Education ruling, the Supreme Court struck down segregation laws because it determined they violated the equal protection clause. The court ruled that equality could not be achieved through segregation because it treated students differently based on the color of their skin. This ruling was a major step forward in the civil rights movement, as it established that equal protection under the law applies to everyone without exception. The Supreme Court has also applied the equal protection clause in a variety of other cases that affirm its importance. For example, in the case Obergefell v. Hodges, the court ruled that same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marriage under the equal protection clause. This means that same-sex couples must be given the same rights as opposite-sex couples, and must be treated equally under the law. In Arizona, the Supreme Court has maintained the same interpretation of the equal protection clause, upholding the right of all who live in the state to be treated equally and fairly under the law. Additionally, the court has also made clear that all state and local laws must adhere to the Equal Protection Clause, meaning they must not discriminate against people based on characteristics such as race, gender, or religion.

How has the Supreme Court interpreted the equal protection clause of the US Constitution?

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