A hearing that could be a turning point for gay and lesbian couples nationwide resumes on Tuesday morning.  The Supreme Court will hear arguments on same sex marriage. 

The justices are meeting Tuesday to offer the first public indication of where they stand in the dispute over whether states can continue defining marriage as the union of a man and a woman, or whether the Constitution gives gay and lesbian couples the right to marry.

The court is hearing extended arguments, scheduled to last 2 1/2 hours, which also will explore whether states that do not permit same-sex marriage must nonetheless recognize such unions from elsewhere.

Rallies were held all across the country leading up to the start of the oral arguments Tuesday. 

Dozens gathered at the LGBT Welcome Center in St. Petersburg.  One local student, Sam Obied, even flew up to Washington just to witness the historic case.

"I was at the Supreme Court earlier today," Obied said. "And I saw the streets lined with people, pride flags young adults, teenagers, all in favor of LGBT community youth, and youth groups themselves, just that whole vibe is so contagious and so incredible."

On Tuesday, she’s sure to witness history when the nine justices and five lawyers begin the two and a half hour debate to decide on whether states must recognize other states’ same sex marriages.

Mike Allen with Stetson College of Law says this is an issue the courts cannot avoid. 

"It’s (the court) hand has now been forced," Allen said. "Because we have it legal in some places, and not legal in others, so we’ve been brought to this position where I think the court will move forward with an understanding of the social context but not driven by it."

Now, Obied says she hopes the courts do just that, and she says she’ll be anxiously awaiting their decision. 

"I am a gay individual so for me it really matters that the people in my community have the exact same rights as the people in any other community."

Only a few hundred people will be able to watch the oral arguments, which are expected to begin on Tuesday at 10:00am.  The first written and audio transcripts will be released later in the day on the courts website.  A decision isn’t expected until June.

You can also follow along on Scotus Live Blog.