Lyle Denniston examines the amicus curiae briefs — including NOW’s — in the two marriage equality cases before the US Supreme Court in a post at SCOTUSblog: “To file an amicus brief, it is necessary to have either the consent of the parties, or consent of the Court. In the Proposition 8 case, the parties gave blanket consent to all such briefs. Most amici speak to the Court only through their written arguments; except for the federal government when it is acting as an amicus (as it is in this case), amici do not often get permission to take part in oral arguments.”