In a landmark opinion, on Friday June 26 the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that the Constitution requires that gay couples have the right to marry no matter where they live. It was a divided SCOTUS, and the ruling was 5-4. Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote the majority opinion, and was joined by the court’s four liberal justices: Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Stephen G. Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan.
“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. As some of the petitioners in these cases demonstrate, marriage embodies a love that may endure even past death.”
Kennedy pointed to the idea that marriage was such a longstanding part of humanity, but he framed that differently, pointing out that the men and women who wanted the right to get married were only seeking to join this institution.
“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.”
The country's views on same sex marriage have slowly been changing over the last decade. Barack Obama became the first sitting president to openly support marriage equality. Thirty-seven states and DC already recognized marriage equality, but now the remaining 13 must get on board!
"The times they are a-changin'!"
