US Supreme Court rules in favour of gay marriage nationwide

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.   REUTERS/Jim Bourg

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._83884960_11119718_10153564889214238_5139842835188453914_o

However, many Christian conservatives decried the decision._83884958_hi027894866-1

“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.”

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52 Comments

  1. Fitzgerald
    June 26, 15:19 Reply

    Why, 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, 21:39 Reply

      They worked for it, in the face of people like Mike Huckabee…lolz

    • King Mufasa
      June 27, 14:51 Reply

      Young man … it could have been worse, try imagining you were born in Ghana or some other war torn extreme right wing country.

  2. Khaleesi
    June 26, 15:50 Reply

    Even 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, 16:05 Reply

      Hopefully, it will be less than 150yrs. But definitely not in our time.

      • Masked Man
        June 26, 16:12 Reply

        PP, it’s hard to be optimistic on such issues here.

      • Tiercel de Claron
        June 26, 16:37 Reply

        Yes 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, 16:43 Reply

        Aren’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, 17:00 Reply

        Who 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, 17:06 Reply

        I’m not arguing with you.
        It’s a happy evening.
        Try again later.

  3. mchenrie
    June 26, 16:03 Reply

    Big 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!.

  4. Masked Man
    June 26, 16:07 Reply

    A wide rainbow coloured flag is gracing my BBM and Whatsapp.

    Waiting for someone to come and ask me why.

  5. Max
    June 26, 16:28 Reply

    Hahahahahahaha.. ****Packing my bags to leave for America**
    All the opium smoking Christians can go and die.. 🙂

    • Khaleesi
      June 26, 16:31 Reply

      @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***

  6. Tiercel de Claron
    June 26, 16:32 Reply

    You 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 Reply

      @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, 17:03 Reply

        And idiotic you responded to a “rant” meant for another.
        Let it slide,indeed.

      • Tiercel de Claron
        June 26, 17:05 Reply

        Btw,it’s I’m not am.
        I believe you better than that construct you put up there.

      • Khaleesi
        June 26, 17:05 Reply

        @Tiercel, lool … it ***withering scornful stare*** is still talking, ventilating its deep vacuous emptiness … #AintNobodyGotTimeForDumbPewCrewBitches

      • Tiercel de Claron
        June 26, 17:16 Reply

        And I thought there’s more stuffing to you than a hell-born piece of ballast.
        Typical,blabbermouths ain’t got guts.

  7. RM
    June 26, 17:25 Reply

    My thoughts in one hashtag…
    #LoveWins

  8. Ace
    June 26, 17:48 Reply

    I 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.

  9. Dennis Macaulay
    June 26, 18:29 Reply

    I am celebrating ooooooo tonight at the bar! Drinks on me!

    **dancing shoki and skelewu at the same time**

  10. Raj
    June 26, 18:42 Reply

    When 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.

  11. REVEREND HOT
    June 26, 19:22 Reply

    this is the best news I’ve heard all day.

    and that’s coming from the guy who just found out how healthy orgasms are….

  12. Diablo
    June 26, 19:29 Reply

    Sigh…another reason to be an American! *cue Lana Del Rey’s American* ✌

  13. Bane Salazar
    June 26, 19:53 Reply

    They have already started issusing licenses in Arkansas. It takes effect immediately.

  14. beryl04
    June 26, 20:53 Reply

    congratunobia 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, 23:25 Reply

      Nna eh Clarence Thomas surprised me! I would have thought he would be more liberal! TG for Sotomayo

      • beryl04
        June 27, 10:26 Reply

        no, 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!

  15. Ringlana
    June 26, 21:40 Reply

    Hmmm Homophobic Nigeria ,Let’s wait and see hoe July 20 goes.#handsfold

  16. alpha papi
    June 26, 22:29 Reply

    Dey shld fix racism too… Dats also a serious issue in America.

  17. insidiousmissmeiya
    June 27, 04:20 Reply

    I’m so happy. You don’t even know. I can’t even express myself in words…

    • beryl04
      June 27, 10:33 Reply

      my 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, 15:11 Reply

        Omg! It’s been forever! I need to organize my life and get my website together so I can chat with you more often! *facepalm*

  18. kacee
    June 27, 07:16 Reply

    Harvey Milk is gonna be dancing in his grave…..

  19. posh6666
    June 27, 08:54 Reply

    Now 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.

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