This really happened!!!
In a landmark 5-4 opinion, a divided Supreme Court ruled Friday that states cannot ban same-sex marriage. That means marriage equality will come to the 13 remaining states where same-sex marriage was still not recognized.
Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote for the 5 justices who ruled in favor of the decision.
“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 they once were. As the petitioners in this case demonstrate, marriage embodies a love that may endure even past death. It would misunderstand these women and men 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 fulfillment for themselves. Their hope is not to be condemned to live in loneliness, excluded from one of civilization’s oldest institutions. They ask for equal dignity in the eyes of the law. The Constitution grants them that right.”
In a dissent, Justice Antonin Scalia blasted the Court’s “threat to American democracy.” Each of the four justices wrote their own dissent.
“The substance of today’s decree is not of immense personal importance to me. But what really astounds is the hubris reflected in today’s judicial Putsch.”
Chief Justice John Roberts wrote that the decision had “nothing to do with the Constitution.”
“If you are among the many Americans—of whatever sexual orientation—who favor expanding same-sex marriage, by all means celebrate today’s decision. 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.”
After the ruling, Obama called Jim Obergefell, the lead plaintiff in the case, while he and his supporters celebrated the ruling outside the court.
“I just wanted to say congratulations,” Obama said, “Your leadership on this has changed the country.” Speaking at the White House later in the morning, Obama said “Americans should be very proud.”
The U.S. is now the 21st country to legalize same-sex marriage nationwide, the first being Massachusetts in 2004. Since then, America has come around, with about two-thirds of Americans now in favor of marriage equality for everyone.
Obergefell, who married his partner before he died of ALS, sought to have their marriage recognized on his Ohio death certificate. Watch President Obama congratulate Obergefell on the phone.
Obama’s Remarks on the SCOTUS Same Sex Marriage ruling
Via CNN
