WASHINGTON, United States (AP) — The long and turbulent battle for marriage equality ended today when The Supreme Court ruled that same-sex couples have a right to marry anywhere in the United States.
The 5-4 ruling by Justice Kennedy began with a statement about personal identity.
“The Constitution promises liberty to all within its reach, a liberty that includes certain specific rights that allow persons, within a lawful realm, to define and express their identity. The petitioners in these cases seek to find that liberty by marrying someone of the same sex and having their marriages deemed lawful on the same terms and conditions as marriages between persons of the opposite sex.”
The ruling also emphasized the well-being of children with same-sex parents.
“Excluding same-sex couples from marriage thus conflicts with a central premise of the right to marry. Without the recognition, stability, and predictability marriage offers, their children suffer the stigma of knowing their families are somehow lesser. They also suffer the significant material costs of being raised by unmarried parents, relegated through no fault of their own to a more difficult and uncertain family life. The marriage laws at issue here thus harm and humiliate the children of same-sex couples.”
Before today, 14 states did not recognize same-sex marriages. Those states will have to comply with The Supreme Court’s ruling.
#Finally: Social Media Reacts
News of the decision spread like wildfire on social media, where users celebrated the long-anticipated decision.
Thrilled #SCOTUS has recognized the right to marriage for all Americans, regardless of who they love pic.twitter.com/4RgesBbnkJ
— Rosa DeLauro (@rosadelauro) June 26, 2015
WOW! What a day for America! Such amazing news! #LoveWins #SCOTUS
— Justin Kelly (@IsJustKelly) June 26, 2015
A number of politicians and public officials praised the decision, including Boston mayor Marty Walsh.
I am deeply moved by the news that #SCOTUS has made marriage equality the law of the land. Read More: https://t.co/qpTKqevKUo
— Mayor Marty Walsh (@marty_walsh) June 26, 2015
THRILLED #SCOTUS has ruled in favor of equality for all; Finally every American can marry the person they love!
— Ann McLane Kuster (@RepAnnieKuster) June 26, 2015
Social media personality Caity Kauffman welcomed same-sex couples into the mores of married life.
Great work, #SCOTUS. Same-sex couples, welcome to awkward family interrogations at Thanksgiving! "WHY AREN'T YOU MARRIED YET?" #LoveWins
— Caity Kauffman (@caitykauffman) June 26, 2015
Comedian Rye Silverman wasn’t shy about accepting credit for the decision.
https://twitter.com/ryesilverman/status/614441977967439874
Recording artist Anthony Callea said today was “a day to be celebrated and cherished.”
A day to be celebrated and cherished THANK YOU #SCOTUS Love is love and this is what life should be… https://t.co/hRpEhpLpAs
— ANTHONY CALLEA (@AnthonyCallea) June 26, 2015
You may also enjoy:
SCOTUS Racing to Declare Same-Sex Marriage Constitutional
Judge Strikes Down Virginia Same-Sex Marriage Ban [Twitter Reacts]
0 Comments