The US Supreme Court made same-sex marriage legal throughout the nation Friday in a much-awaited landmark decision that triggered wild jubilation and tears of joy across the country.
In a 5-4 ruling, the highest court in the United States said the Constitution requires all 50 states to carry out and recognize marriages between people of the same sex.
President Barack Obama praised the ruling as “a victory for America.”
The court decision marked a fresh coup for the White House, coming a day after the Supreme Court upheld an important and disputed section of Obama’s signature health care reform.
“Today we can say in no uncertain terms that we’ve made our union a little more perfect,” Obama said at the White House, which was later lit up in the rainbow colors of the gay rights movement.
“This decision affirms what millions of Americans already believe in their hearts — when all Americans are treated as equal, we are all more free.”
The Supreme Court ruling made the United States the 21st country or territory in the world that recognizes same-sex marriage as legal.
Flag-waving LGBT advocates on the packed Supreme Court forecourt — some in tears — cheered, danced, shouted “USA! USA!” and sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” in celebration.
Prominent in the crowd was Jim Obergefell, the lead plaintiff in the case, clutching a photo of his deceased husband John Arthur.
He took a brief phone call from Obama, who told him: “Not only have you been a great example for people but you’re also going to bring about a lasting change in this country.
“And it’s pretty rare where that happens, so I couldn’t be prouder of you and your husband. God bless you.”
Obergefell, who was live on television at the time, replied humbly: “Thank you, sir. That means an incredible amount to me.”
“It feels like my birthday, the prom, our wedding day. It’s hard to express the intensity of this moment, that our love now is equal,” Westover told AFP.
The decision was applauded across the country, with Hollywood celebrities such as Katy Perry and Ben Affleck offering praise, while in New York revelers waved rainbow flags and gathered at a famed gay bar to celebrate.
– Dissenting voices –
The case was brought by 14 same-sex couples, and the widowers of two gay couples, including Obergefell, who had challenged de facto bans on same-sex marriage in Michigan, Kentucky, Ohio and Tennessee.
All four states had insisted in their respective constitutions that marriage could only be a union between a man and a woman.
“The Fourteenth Amendment (providing equal protection under the law) requires a state to license a marriage between two people of the same sex and to recognize a marriage between two people of the same sex when their marriage was lawfully licensed and performed out-of-state,” the court ruling said.
Marriage has been a core institution in society since ancient times, “but it has not stood in isolation from developments in law and society,” reasoned Justice Anthony Kennedy, who delivered the ruling.
To exclude them from marriage, Kennedy said, would deny same-sex couples “the constellation of benefits that the states have linked to marriage.”
Voicing dissent was Chief Justice John Roberts, who expressed concern that the court was making a decision better left to elected state legislatures.
“If you are among the many Americans — of whatever sexual orientation — who favor expanding same-sex marriage, by all means celebrate today’s decision,” he said.
“Celebrate the achievement of a desired goal. Celebrate the opportunity for a new expression of commitment to a partner. Celebrate the availability of new benefits.
“But do not celebrate the Constitution. It had nothing to do with it.”
The decision came two years to the day after the Supreme Court, in another major ruling, struck down a controversial federal law that denied US government benefits to wedded gays and lesbians.
– ‘A tragic error’ –
While some praised the ruling, others were eager to voice disapproval.
The conservative Family Research Council expressed outrage, saying “no court can overturn natural law.”
“Nature and nature’s God, hailed by the signers of our Declaration of Independence as the very source of law, cannot be usurped by the edict of a court, even the United States Supreme Court,” it said.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, whose state has also prohibited same-sex marriage, said the fight going forward was now one of “religious liberty.”
“No court, no law, no rule and no words will change the simple truth that marriage is the union of one man and one woman,” he said in a statement.
The US Conference of Catholic Bishops, which champions the Vatican’s opposition to marriage equality, called Friday’s outcome “a tragic error.”
“Jesus Christ, with great love, taught unambiguously that from the beginning marriage is the lifelong union of one man and one woman,” it said.
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Destruction will be arranged by not just a country but from a God loved country. So that all will embrace for the quick wrath of God will be poured on them who so emulate them.see the book of Revelation u will get the message.
ReplyDeleteThis is the beginning of the END of America civilization . Oh poor American
ReplyDeletegood n well meaning americans should everything humanly possible to resist this dirty legalization gayism n lesbianism
ReplyDeletegayism/lesbianism stupidity....
ReplyDeleteAmerica, o h,America.Why have you decided to turn yourselves from God's own country to devil's own country by not abiding by God's laws whom you claim in HIM you trust.I see your ruin ,i see your destruction
ReplyDeleteGood judgement, victory for the right of partner, religion also.the bible is not the constitution of any country. Lets embrace this and hope is enacted in all africa also else we will retain our stone age, uncivilized status.
ReplyDeleteRight people mix religious sentiment with societal governance. No one is asking any straight person to become gay, but that both straight and gay alike should have human rights, dignity and not be discriminated against on any basis. America is a country built on freedom, that freedom has been upheld with this judgment. I understand opposition to this ruling, but we are not in the same country, neither are we of the same culture, so we don't have to understand everything they do. Lets see how well it works for them, if it doesnt, they'll do away with the law. In the mean time, think, in whose interest will it be to imprison or marginalise homosexuals. It doesnt solve the problem. Love does.
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