After decades of protests and activism, the Supreme Court ruled in a 5 to 4 decision, today, that the Constitution guarantees same-sex couples the right to marry.
In the majority opinion, Justice Anthony M. Kennedy wrote, “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 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.”
Political figures in New York City have also weighed in on the issue. Governor Andrew M. Cuomo celebrated the decision, applauding New York for sending a clear message passing the Marriage Equality Act back in 2011. “New York has been a leader in the fight for marriage equality, and today’s Supreme Court decision affirms what we have fought so hard for – that marriage is a fundamental right that should be afforded to everyone, regardless of whom they love.” To celebrate the decision, as well as New York City Pride Week, Governor Cuomo has arranged for the lights on One World Trade Center’s spire to light up in rainbow on Sunday night, June 28.
Mayor Bill de Blasio hailed the Court’s decision, saying, “America will never forget this day, and neither will people all across the world who know the meaning of love and compassion. June 26, 2015, will forever be memorialized as a pivotal moment in the history of our nation – the day the Supreme Court affirmed our core values of love, equality, and justice, rejected ignorance and malice, and appealed to the humanity in us all.” He gave credit to the Stonewall Inn, where the LGBT rights movement began in 1969.
At 2 p.m., today, de Blasio officiated the marriages of Katrina and Sarah and of Denise and Cindy on the steps of City Hall. They are two of the first couples to exchange their vows in the City with marriage equality as the law of the entire country.
Brooklyn-based leaders have also been celebrating the decision alongside their communities. U. S. Senator Charles E. Schumer said, “As has been said, ‘the arc of history is long and it bends in the direction of justice.’ Thank you to five Supreme Court heroes for helping bend it a little sooner.”
Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams reinforced the power of love. “Love wins. Today, every person in this country can pursue a lifetime of happiness with the person to whom they love and commit. Four years ago, I had one of the greatest honors of my life when I cast my vote in support of marriage equality in New York State. Today, that equality has spread to all fifty states.”
He added simply, “There is no more gay marriage or straight marriage in America. There is just marriage.”
Congressman Jerome Nadler, who represents New York’s 10th Congressional District, which includes parts of Manhattan and Brooklyn, applauded the Court’s decision in favor of same-sex marriage, but reminded us that the LGBT community has won the battle, but not the war. “While today’s ruling continues the progress that has been long and hard fought for, we still have a long way to go to ensure full equality and full protections for all of our citizens. The fight must continue for equality to become a reality for LGBT Americans, particularly when they can still be fired from their jobs, denied housing and turned away from stores simply for being who they are. We must work together to pass comprehensive nondiscrimination legislation and today’s ruling by the Court shows that progress is possible.” Nadler was an author of the Respect for Marriage Act.
Public Advocate Letitia James, a strong supporter of the LGBT community, was overjoyed at the Court’s decision. “Words cannot fully express what today’s historic Supreme Court’s decision means for millions of Americans who have been wrongly denied their most basic human rights for far too long. Today is not just a victory for the LGBT community, but for our nation’s founding principle that all people are created equal. We cannot control who we love any more than we can control the color of our skin. My heart is full, and my faith in our future is stronger than ever.”
