SCOTUS Rules: Marriage for All!

Today, just 2 days before the 46th anniversary of the Stonewall riot, the US Supreme Court has ruled that marriage is a right guaranteed to all citizens. In the next days and weeks, same-sex couples will be able to marry all over the United States, and Puerto Rico is amending it’s laws to also allow same-sex marriage. Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote in the majority opinion:

No union is more profound than marriage, for it embodies the highest ideals of love, fidelity, devotion, sacrifice, and family. … 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.

Vox.com has a good rundown of the news surrounding this story.

Of course, this is not the be-all end-all of LGBTQIA rights in the United States. Only 22 states have laws prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation, and only 19 of those prohibit discrimination based on gender identity and expression. There are many battles left to fight, but this weekend, let us celebrate. Two decades ago, shows like Ellen and Will and Grace were first introducing much of the country to those wacky gays. Less than a decade ago, homosexual acts were still illegal in some states. Today, the SCOTUS has guaranteed the right of all citizens to marry. Congratulations on this victory! Happy Pride!

Featured image via GrayTVinc.com