US Supreme Court rules in favour of gay marriage nationwide
Gay rights supporters celebrate after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the U.S. Constitution provides same-sex couples the right to marry, outside the Supreme Court building in Washington, June 26, 2015.
The US Supreme Court has ruled that same-sex marriage is a legal right across the United States.
In a landmark 5-4 decision, Justice Anthony Kennedy writing for the majority ruled that marriage is a constitutional right for all.
“No union is more profound than marriage,” he wrote, saying that the hope of gay people intending to marry “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.”
Kennedy, a conservative who often casts the deciding vote in close cases, was joined in the majority by the court’s four liberal justices.
It is unclear how soon marriage licenses will be issued in states where gay unions were previously prohibited. Before the ruling on Thursday, gay couples could marry in 37 states in addition to Washington DC.
Loud cheers erupted outside the court after the ruling was announced, said the BBC’s Paul Blake at the Supreme Court. Hundreds of people had camped out for hours awaiting the news.
One of the demonstrators, Jordan Monaghan, called his mother from his mobile phone amid the celebrations. “Hey mom, I’m at the Supreme Court. Your son can have a husband now,” Mr Monaghan said.
On social media, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton merely tweeted the word “proud” and the White House changed its Twitter avatar into the rainbow colours.
However, many Christian conservatives decried the decision.
“We must resist and reject judicial tyranny, not retreat,” said Mike Huckabee, Republican presidential candidate and former Arkansas governor. “The only outcome worse than this flawed, failed decision would be for the president and congress, two co-equal branches of government, to surrender in the face of this out-of-control act of unconstitutional, judicial tyranny.”
About author
You might also like
“I Wonder If I Would Be More Commercially Successful If I Wasn’t Gay.” – Troye Sivan
Troye Sivan wonders whether he would be more “commercially successful” if he wasn’t gay. The Bloom singer – who has achieved two top 10 albums in the US – joined
Michelle Obama Shared a Touching Story About the Night America Legalized Gay Marriage
In the new Michelle Obama book, Becoming — already a best seller, to no one’s surprise — the former US first lady shares a really touching story about something that
Between The Wife And The Boyfriend Who Chose Her
They are the screenshots that are making the rounds in queer WhatsApp groups and drawing laughs from gay men in Facebook groups. The exchange is between a woman who appears
52 Comments
Fitzgerald
June 26, 15:19Why, oh, why wasn’t I born an American? Why Nigeria of all places? At least, Canada, UK or Australia would have been manageable but nooo… it just had to be Nigeria. Anyway, I’m so happy for them. The fight has paid off.
Btw, I wonder why these Republican presidential candidates are even bothering themselves; Hillary is the one, and they all know it.
Like Cecily Strong said at the WHCD, Hillary is not that happy she has to run because making her run for President is like telling Meryl Streep to audition for a movie role.
Kudos USA.
Jamie
June 26, 21:39They worked for it, in the face of people like Mike Huckabee…lolz
King Mufasa
June 27, 14:51Young man … it could have been worse, try imagining you were born in Ghana or some other war torn extreme right wing country.
Khaleesi
June 26, 15:50Even though i live in homophobic Nigeria, I shall wear a huge smile on my face as tonight, the news gets flashed across the global media. The homophobic bigots who populate this country are to a large extent hopelessly addicted to CNN, BBC, SkyNews etc, these global media outlets are sure to have this news on auto – repeat for the next few days! Kudos to the US Supreme Court … maybe in another 150 years this will be Nigeria …
Masked Man
June 26, 16:05Hopefully, it will be less than 150yrs. But definitely not in our time.
pinkpanthertb
June 26, 16:08And MM, let’s never say never.
Masked Man
June 26, 16:12PP, it’s hard to be optimistic on such issues here.
Tiercel de Claron
June 26, 16:20Such pessimism.
Tut,tut
Masked Man
June 26, 16:29TDC, do you live in Nigeria?
Tiercel de Claron
June 26, 16:37Yes MM,here in good ol’ Lag.
Don’t go by what you see on cyberspace,it’s mostly the kittens turned lions by the anonymity of the internet.Stared one-on-one,they cower mostly.
Not saying the atmosphere is yet condusive tho,far from it,but we’ll get there.
Masked Man
June 26, 16:43Aren’t we just saying the same thing? It won’t happen today or tomorrow. One day we’ll get there. One day might not be in our lifetime.
Tiercel de Claron
June 26, 17:00Who says it might not be in our lifetime?.
Problem with that way of thinking is we want everything all at once.Why not we focus on fighting for equality under the law,as a first step.That’s already contained in the CFRN,just need to get it judicially activated.We get that and all other obstacles fall like a pack of cards,including the Same-sex marriage prohibition n other obnoxious anti-gay laws.That’s how the Americans did it,use of the Equal Protection Clause.
The societal change in attitude lies in our hands tho.Thus far,we’ve made a terrible mush of convincing society at large we’re not an aberration that might bring harm to it in the long run.We’ve been mocking,antagonistic,belligerent……..certainly haven’t done anything right in engaging the larger society so far and I’m not seeing that change anytime soon.
Masked Man
June 26, 17:06I’m not arguing with you.
It’s a happy evening.
Try again later.
Tiercel de Claron
June 26, 17:18Hahahahaha.
Man,we weren’t arguing.
Good evening to you too.
pinkpanthertb
June 26, 16:07LOL. Oh Khaleesi, you have a deliciously vengeful spirit.
mchenrie
June 26, 16:03Big one for America. This is monumental. A long fought war is ended today. I’m excited to be alive to witness this historic decision. Congratulations America!. Thank you Obama.!! #LoveWins.
Nigeria. Love is coming for you!.
pinkpanthertb
June 26, 16:08AMEN to that! #LoveRocksRulesAndWins
Masked Man
June 26, 16:07A wide rainbow coloured flag is gracing my BBM and Whatsapp.
Waiting for someone to come and ask me why.
Max
June 26, 16:28Hahahahahahaha.. ****Packing my bags to leave for America**
All the opium smoking Christians can go and die.. 🙂
Khaleesi
June 26, 16:31@Max, Hian, do you know how many millions of opium – addicted christians there are in Nigeria alone, if even 1/3 of them were to die, the stench would reach even faraway America and pollute the atmosphere for years, abeg they shouldn’t die, lets pack our bags together and leave them here stewing in their crap … ***rolls eyes @ the #PewCrew***
Masked Man
June 26, 16:34Khalessi, I bow for you oh.
Tiercel de Claron
June 26, 16:32You really are an ass,you know that?.
What did Christians do to you again?.
So you know,Featherbrain,Anthony Kennedy the tie-breaker,is a staunch,conservative Catholic.As is Sotomayor,who is more liberal.
Khaleesi
June 26, 17:00@Tiercel, lol, am in a good mood so i’ll let your idiotic rant slide, hopefully “it’ll” take the hint and STFU!!!!
Tiercel de Claron
June 26, 17:03And idiotic you responded to a “rant” meant for another.
Let it slide,indeed.
Tiercel de Claron
June 26, 17:05Btw,it’s I’m not am.
I believe you better than that construct you put up there.
Khaleesi
June 26, 17:05@Tiercel, lool … it ***withering scornful stare*** is still talking, ventilating its deep vacuous emptiness … #AintNobodyGotTimeForDumbPewCrewBitches
Tiercel de Claron
June 26, 17:16And I thought there’s more stuffing to you than a hell-born piece of ballast.
Typical,blabbermouths ain’t got guts.
RM
June 26, 17:25My thoughts in one hashtag…
#LoveWins
Ace
June 26, 17:48I am having the time of my life today on social media! Oh my God! Nigerians are the most hypocritical bunch! The nonsense they are spewing about America while their leaders and citizens are gradually pulling Nigeria deeper into the pit of corruption and poverty. I love my people with their fucked up moral compass. Thank God I am timezones away from all that hate! My parents own is enough wahala for me.
Dennis Macaulay
June 26, 18:29I am celebrating ooooooo tonight at the bar! Drinks on me!
**dancing shoki and skelewu at the same time**
Raj
June 26, 18:42When I read this. I smiled till I was aost rearing my cheeks from strained parting..
If I could have a husband for a day,I certainly would.
We gays are good actors due to the natural way we have to endure and ensure we live a public life of heterosexual union.. At best you can be a bachelor.
I’m glad somewhere out there we are making freedom a reality.. Shame to over religious and hypocritical Africans.. And amidst their so called criticism,the continent ranks 1.in corruption and inhumane acts.
Dennis Macaulay
June 26, 23:24Best comment of all time!
REVEREND HOT
June 26, 19:22this is the best news I’ve heard all day.
and that’s coming from the guy who just found out how healthy orgasms are….
Diablo
June 26, 19:29Sigh…another reason to be an American! *cue Lana Del Rey’s American* ✌
pinkpanthertb
June 26, 19:37Hahahahahahaa!!! Dimkpa, sing it, brutha!
Ringlana
June 26, 21:35PP ur Email Plisss
pinkpanthertb
June 27, 03:18It’s pantherptb@yahoo.com
Bane Salazar
June 26, 19:53They have already started issusing licenses in Arkansas. It takes effect immediately.
beryl04
June 26, 20:53congratunobia my people, for love has finally won!the fight has been won and lost and the christian right wingers are licking their wounds in defeat ,guess where they’re going to export their hate to next,Africa!we have suffered in this continent and i want to ask,what’s up with black people anyway? that dissent by justice Clarence Thomas, who is even married to a white woman,something that he cudn’t have achieved without similar SCOTUS ruling some decades ago.i ask again,is everything alright with black people ,why are we so slow?
Dennis Macaulay
June 26, 23:25Nna eh Clarence Thomas surprised me! I would have thought he would be more liberal! TG for Sotomayo
beryl04
June 27, 10:26no, t hank G for justice Kennedy,he’s the real hero and a deal breaker in all of these. we’ll forever remain grateful to the indefatigable justice Ruth Badder Gensburg,the notorious RBG ,who though already in her 80s continues to be a voice of reason for all liberal democrats!
Ringlana
June 26, 21:40Hmmm Homophobic Nigeria ,Let’s wait and see hoe July 20 goes.#handsfold
alpha papi
June 26, 22:29Dey shld fix racism too… Dats also a serious issue in America.
insidiousmissmeiya
June 27, 04:20I’m so happy. You don’t even know. I can’t even express myself in words…
pinkpanthertb
June 27, 04:25Yes, Miss Meiya. That feeling is totally mutual.
insidiousmissmeiya
June 27, 05:31I can’t even sleep! It’s 1 in the morning here!
beryl04
June 27, 10:33my miss M how are ya,we’re also popping pink champagne here!we miss u on NL and truly the haters have gone crazy since yesterday.good to see u here dear.
insidiousmissmeiya
June 27, 15:11Omg! It’s been forever! I need to organize my life and get my website together so I can chat with you more often! *facepalm*
insidiousmissmeiya
June 27, 04:23Android is having a virtual pride parade!
https://androidify.com/en/#/gallery/
kacee
June 27, 07:16Harvey Milk is gonna be dancing in his grave…..
pinkpanthertb
June 27, 07:36Or in heaven. 🙂
posh6666
June 27, 08:54Now its time to move to america!marry a rich white old man,do nothing all day than shop from one luxury store to another and travel the world.Btw twitter nigeria is on fire!!!kai d hypocrisy level of my people.The runs girls,doa gurls that have done like 10 abortions,cheap thiefs,rapist,and armed robbers too are judging and curse the gays and america.We have a long way to go man cant see any progress anytime soon.Too many self righteous hypocrites all over.The funny thing is a close frnd of mine’s mum is now a senator and d guy is out n proud to his mum and oda family members just here wondering what her opinion will be if there were to table uncriminalizing gayism.