The Supreme Court May Be Divided On Gay Marriage, But The Media Isn't

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Last Thursday, Natalie Morales --who is one of the top anchors on the "Today" show and a prominent reporter for NBC-- hosted the National Lesbian and Gay Journalist Association's annual fundraising dinner. She was joined by fellow "Today" hosts Matt Lauer and Savannah Guthrie, as well as anchors and reporters from CNN, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, ABC News and more. Many of these journalists work on the so-called "objective" side of things, meaning that they're not supposed to talk too much about their opinions on major issues.

Morales, though, seemed to have no fear when it came to gay rights and gay marriage. Even though there has not been such a profound shift in terms of public opinion about any civil rights issue in recent memory, a large swath of the United States (plus most of one of its two political parties) is still hostile to LGBT rights. This did not trouble Morales, who very candidly told a conservative interviewer that she supports gay marriage:

I think what's happening here is this is a new civil rights movement. I mean I think clearly... I believe that gays have as much equal opportunity as we all should have. And I believe that they should be allowed to get married and love equally....But I don't think everyone else has to believe how we believe.

The right-wing website Newsbusters flagged Morales' comments as a symbol of flagrant media bias. And, in a way, Newsbusters is right. The mainstream media is becoming more and more uniform in its support of gay people.

The mainstream media is not open to every kind of debate. Find yourself on the "wrong side" of an issue, and you could be sneered at or dismissed if you get a hearing at all. (Sometimes --as happened during the Iraq War--that restrictive window is disastrous.)

The Supreme Court, which is holding hearings on the constitutionality of gay marriage bans, is also taking up cases on affirmative action. But it would be truly startling if Morales went to a pro-affirmative action event and declared her support for the policy. Within the confines of media debate, that is still considered beyond the pale. The same would be true if Morales went to a pro-abortion rights rally, or if she called for an end to the Israeli occupation, or if she turned up in an Occupy Wall Street demonstration.

Gay marriage is different. It is no longer all that controversial for many in the media. Morales was not rebuked by anyone, or targeted by any major groups, for her comments. Quite the contrary: her corporate bosses at NBCUniversal helped sponsor the event. And why wouldn't they? Gay people are everywhere in the media landscape, and supporters of the issue are now in the majority. Democrats are fighting with each other to declare their support for marriage equality, and many Republicans, especially on the coasts, will inevitably join them.

Even Fox News (which was yet another one of the co-sponsors of the NLGJA event) is more and more comfortable with gay marriage. That's where Shepard Smith famously said opponents were on the wrong side of history, and where Megyn Kelly compared it to interracial marriage hours after the Supreme Court hearing.

I have written before about this shift, but the court's hearing has raised it again. The nine justices seemed unable to reach a consensus about how to rule on marriage, but in the elite media, the battle is, for the most part, over.

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Gay Marriage At The Supreme Court

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WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 26: Roni Bivera demonstrates during a rally in front of the U.S. Supreme Court on March 26, 2013 in Washington, DC. Today the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments in California's proposition 8, the controversial ballot initiative that defines marriage as between a man and a woman. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 26: New York based drag performer Queen (L) dances with Georgetown University student Tim Devita (R) during a rally in front of the U.S. Supreme Court on March 26, 2013 in Washington, DC. Today the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments in California's proposition 8, the controversial ballot initiative that defines marriage as between a man and a woman. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 26: David Gilchrest holds a copy of the lawsuit being heard today by the Supreme Court March 26, 2013 in Washington, DC. Today the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments in California's proposition 8, the controversial ballot initiative that defines marriage as between a man and a woman. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 26: Anthony Robledo (L) and Sally Wilson yawn while holding a banner in front of the U.S. Supreme Court, on March 26, 2013 in Washington, DC. Today the high court is scheduled to hear arguments in California's proposition 8, the controversial ballot initiative that defines marriage as between a man and a woman. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 26: Banners are held up as people gatherin front of the U.S. Supreme Court, on March 26, 2013 in Washington, DC. Today the high court is scheduled to hear arguments in California's proposition 8, the controversial ballot initiative that defines marriage as between a man and a woman. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 26: Married couple Mike McFarland (L) and Larry Baxley show their support for gay marriage during a rally in front of the U.S. Supreme Court on March 26, 2013 in Washington, DC. Today the high court is scheduled to hear arguments in California's proposition 8, the controversial ballot initiative that defines marriage as between a man and a woman. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
Selena Fox of the Circle Sanctuary Wiccan church and followers sing in favor of same-sex marriage in front of the US Supreme Court in Washington on March 25, 2013. The justices will hear arguments on March 26 on California's Proposition 8 ban on same-sex marriage and on March 27 on the federal Defense of Marriage Act, which defines marriage as between one man and one woman. AFP PHOTO/Nicholas KAMM (Photo credit should read NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - MARCH 25: Supporters of same-sex marriage carry Pride flags during a rally in support of marriage equality on March 25, 2013 in San Francisco, California. Supporters of same-sex marriage held a rally and are set to march through San Francisco a day before the U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments on California's Proposition 8, the controversial ballot initiative that defines marriage as between a man and a woman. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
People wait in line outside of the Supreme Court in Washington, Monday March, 25, 2013, a day before the court will hear a same-sex marriage case. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
Wally Suphap from Calif., waits in line to enter Supreme Court in Washington, Monday March, 25, 2013, a day before the court will hear a same-sex marriage case. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
Sandy Stier, left, and Kris Perry of Berkeley, Calif., arrive at the National Archives in Washington, Monday, March 25, 2013, to view the U.S. Constitution, a day before their same-sex marriage case is argued before the Supreme Court. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
Hollingsworth v. Perry Plaintiffs Kris Perry and Sandy Stier (L) and Paul Katami and Jeff Zarrillo (R) along with other family members climb the steps of the National Archive in Washington, DC, on March 25, 2013, a day before the oral argument in the Hollingsworth v. Perry Supreme Court case, which could end California’s discriminatory Proposition 8 legislation banning same-sex marriage in the state. Nine of the 50 US states and the US capital Washington allow same-sex unions, while many more still prohibit them. AFP PHOTO/Jewel Samad (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)
Joey Williamson, left, and Gary Brown form New York City, cover themselves from the snow as they wait in line outside of the Supreme Court in Washington, Monday March, 25, 2013, a day before the court hearing on same-sex marriage. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - MARCH 25: A supporter of same-sex marriage holds a sign during a rally in support of marriage equality on March 25, 2013 in San Francisco, California. Supporters of same-sex marriage held a rally and are set to march through San Francisco a day before the U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments on California's Proposition 8, the controversial ballot initiative that defines marriage as between a man and a woman. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Hollingsworth v. Perry Plaintiffs Kris Perry and Sandy Stier (L) and Paul Katami and Jeff Zarrillo pose for photos on the steps of the National Archive in Washington, DC, on March 25, 2013, a day before the oral argument in the Hollingsworth v. Perry Supreme Court case, which could end California’s discriminatory Proposition 8 legislation banning same-sex marriage in the state. Nine of the 50 US states and the US capital Washington allow same-sex unions, while many more still prohibit them. AFP PHOTO/Jewel Samad (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - MARCH 25: A supporter of same-sex marriage passes out stickers during a rally in support of marriage equality on March 25, 2013 in San Francisco, California. Supporters of same-sex marriage held a rally and are set to march through San Francisco a day before the U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments on California's Proposition 8, the controversial ballot initiative that defines marriage as between a man and a woman. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
People protect themselves from the rain and snow while waiting to attend hearings on same-sex marriage in front of the US Supreme Court in Washington on March 25, 2013. The justices will hear arguments on March 26 on California's Proposition 8 ban on same-sex marriage and on March 27 on the federal Defense of Marriage Act, which defines marriage as between one man and one woman. AFP PHOTO/Nicholas KAMM (Photo credit should read NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - MARCH 25: Supporters of same-sex marriage make signs during a rally in support of marriage equality on March 25, 2013 in San Francisco, California. Supporters of same-sex marriage held a rally and are set to march through San Francisco a day before the U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments on California's Proposition 8, the controversial ballot initiative that defines marriage as between a man and a woman. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
A man protects himself from the rain and snow while waiting to attend hearings on same-sex marriage in front of the US Supreme Court in Washington on March 25, 2013. The justices will hear arguments on March 26 on California's Proposition 8 ban on same-sex marriage and on March 27 on the federal Defense of Marriage Act, which defines marriage as between one man and one woman. AFP PHOTO/Nicholas KAMM (Photo credit should read NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images)
Marriage equality supporters take part in a march and rally ahead of US Supreme Court arguments on legalizing same-sex marriage in New York on March 24, 2013. The US Supreme Court will consider the divisive issue of legalizing same-sex marriage, in a hotly anticipated hearing on March 26 and 27 that could have historic consequences for American family life. The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on two cases related to the right to marry. These two cases, which concern the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and California’s Proposition 8, are fundamentally about whether gay and lesbian Americans can enjoy the same freedoms and opportunities as everyone else. AFP PHOTO/Emmanuel Dunand (Photo credit should read EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images)
Marriage equality supporters take part in a march and rally ahead of US Supreme Court arguments on legalizing same-sex marriage in New York on March 24, 2013. The US Supreme Court will consider the divisive issue of legalizing same-sex marriage, in a hotly anticipated hearing on March 26 and 27 that could have historic consequences for American family life. The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on two cases related to the right to marry. These two cases, which concern the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and California’s Proposition 8, are fundamentally about whether gay and lesbian Americans can enjoy the same freedoms and opportunities as everyone else. AFP PHOTO/Emmanuel Dunand (Photo credit should read EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images)
A protester holds up a placard that reads 'Liberty for all relationships' as he joins a demonstration for equal rights for gay couples in Trafalgar Square cental London on March 24, 2013 countering an Anglo-French protest against a controversial bill to legalise same-sex marriage and adoption in France. France's National Assembly endorsed thebill to legalise same-sex marriage and adoption on February 12. The bill still has to go to the Senate for examination and approval, but the upper house is unlikely to prevent the groundbreaking reform from becoming law by the summer. AFP PHOTO / BEN STANSALL (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images)
People queue to enter the Supreme Court in Washington on March 25, 2013. The justices will hear arguments on March 26 on California's Proposition 8 ban on same-sex marriage and on March 27 on the federal Defense of Marriage Act, which defines marriage as between one man and one woman. AFP PHOTO/Nicholas KAMM (Photo credit should read NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images)
People queue to enter the Supreme Court in Washington on March 25, 2013. The justices will hear arguments on March 26 on California's Proposition 8 ban on same-sex marriage and on March 27 on the federal Defense of Marriage Act, which defines marriage as between one man and one woman. AFP PHOTO/Nicholas KAMM (Photo credit should read NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images)
A man holds a sign against California's Proposition 8 which bans same-sex marriage in front of the US Supreme Court in Washington on March 25, 2013. The justices will hear arguments on March 26 on California's Proposition 8 ban on same-sex marriage and on March 27 on the federal Defense of Marriage Act, which defines marriage as between one man and one woman. AFP PHOTO/Nicholas KAMM (Photo credit should read NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images)
A man reads a book as he protects himself from the rain and snow while waiting to attend hearings on same-sex marriage in front of the US Supreme Court in Washington on March 25, 2013. The justices will hear arguments on March 26 on California's Proposition 8 ban on same-sex marriage and on March 27 on the federal Defense of Marriage Act, which defines marriage as between one man and one woman. AFP PHOTO/Nicholas KAMM (Photo credit should read NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images)
Marriage equality supporters take part in a march and rally ahead of US Supreme Court arguments on legalizing same-sex marriage in New York on March 24, 2013. The US Supreme Court will consider the divisive issue of legalizing same-sex marriage, in a hotly anticipated hearing on March 26 and 27 that could have historic consequences for American family life. The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on two cases related to the right to marry. These two cases, which concern the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and California’s Proposition 8, are fundamentally about whether gay and lesbian Americans can enjoy the same freedoms and opportunities as everyone else. AFP PHOTO/Emmanuel Dunand (Photo credit should read EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images)