In one of the most widely anticipated decisions of the year, the Supreme Court has released their ruling on same-sex marriage.With Justice Anthony Kennedy providing the swing vote in the 5-4 ruling, the court decided that under the 14th Amendment, states cannot ban same-sex marriage. Under a broad ruling written by Kennedy, the court also found that states must recognize such lawful unions performed in other states. “They ask for equal dignity in the eyes of the law,” concluded Justice Kennedy in the opinion of same-sex couples. “The Constitution grants them that right.”
Earlier this year, bans on same-sex marriage by Michigan, Tennessee, Kentucky and Ohio were challenged by 14 couples and two widowers in arguments before the SCOTUS. Friday’s opinion however, nullifies those cases as same-sex marriage is now legalized nationwide in the United States.
President Barack Obama shared his thoughts on the historical Supreme Court ruling via Twitter:
Today is a big step in our march toward equality. Gay and lesbian couples now have the right to marry, just like anyone else. #LoveWins
— President Obama (@POTUS) June 26, 2015
For more celebrity reactions to the Supreme Court ruling, overturning same-sex marriage, hit the flip.
