The United States Supreme Court ruled yesterday that same-sex marriage is now legal in all fifty states, ending the ban that still exited in many states. June 26, 2015 will certainly go down in the history books thanks to the historic decision ruling that the Constitution of the United States allows couples of the same sex, gay, lesbian and trans-gendered, to marry. The court held that the 14th Amendment to the Constitution requires all states to issue marriage licenses for same-sex couples and to recognize these marriage that were officiated in other states.
Out of the nine Supreme Court Justices, 5 voted in favor of equality, while 4 Justices opposed the ruling. Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote the majority opinion where he stated that “Under the Constitution, same-sex couples seek in marriage the same legal treatment as opposite-sex couples, and it would disparage their choices and diminish their personhood to deny them this right.” He was joined by Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Stephen Breyer, Elena Kagan and Ruth Bader Ginsberg.
The four Justices who opposed the case all wrote dissents which criticized the ruling. Chief Justice John Roberts was joined by Justices Clarence Thomas, Antonin Scalia and Samuel Alito. Chief Justice Roberts wrote, “If you are among the many Americans…who favor expanding same-sex marriage, by all means celebrate today’s decision…but do not celebrate the Constitution. It had nothing to do with it.”
The lead plaintiff for the gay marriage case Jim Obergefell, of Cincinnati, Ohio, was in tears as the decision was announced early on Friday. As he held a photo of his partner and husband of 20 years to his chest, he declared, “This is for you John.” Mr. Obergefell’s overwhelming emotion was evident as he declared “I miss my husband”, John Arthur who passed away in 2013. He asserted that John would have been proud and elated with the new ruling. Even more so when President Obama personally called Mr. Obergefell’s on his cell phone. The conversation was broadcast live on CNN and the nation listened while the president congratulated him and praised his efforts. President Obama went on to tell him that due to his efforts, the nation has been forever changed. Following the President’s call, Mr. Obergefell’s phone rang again, only to find that is was Vice President Joe Biden calling to congratulate him as well.
President Obama has been an ardent supporter of gay rights, declaring his support of same-sex marriage back in 2012. The President’s administration has stood behind the right of same-sex couples to marry. Shortly after the announcement, President addressed the nation from the Rose Garden where he called the same-sex ruling a “victory for America” which he said would only serve to “strengthen all of our communities.”
Thousands of supporters took to the streets, celebrating and carrying flags in support of gay rights. The happy chant of “Love Wins” was heard throughout the nation. Shortly after the ruling, states that previously banned same-sex marriages began issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
Prior to yesterday’s decision, 36 states allowed gay marriage, however the 14 remaining states that did not are now required to recognize and end the enforcement of their prior bans on such marriages.
