In a historic victory for the gay rights movement, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled same-sex marriage legal across the nation today. The court’s decision was cemented by Justice Anthony Kennedy’s support, “No union is more profound than marriage, for it embodies the highest ideals of love, fidelity, devotion, sacrifice, and family. In forming a marital union, two people become something greater than once they were. It would misunderstand these men and women to say they disrespect the idea of marriage. Their plea is that they do respect it, respect it so deeply that they seek to find its fulfilment for themselves… They ask for equal dignity in the eyes of the law. The Constitution grants them that right.”
Before today’s ruling, same-sex marriage was only legal across 37 states. The new verdict establishes that the Fourteenth Amendment, which gives all U.S. citizens’ equal rights and protections under the law, now also necessitates all citizens the right to marry. All 50 States will be legally required to issue marriage to all couples, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. After months of speculation, this landmark decision won 5-4 and was unequivocally backed by the Obama administration and Justice Anthony Kennedy, who firmly stated that prohibiting same-sex marriage was not only unfair to gay couples but also the children they raise, “The nature of marriage is that, through its enduring bond, two persons together can find other freedoms, such as expression, intimacy, and spirituality. This is true for all persons, whatever their sexual orientation.”
Today is a big step in our march toward equality. Gay and lesbian couples now have the right to marry, just like anyone else. #LoveWins
— President Obama (@POTUS) June 26, 2015
Credits
Photography Elvert Barnes