The United States Supreme Court delivered a landmark victory
for gay rights on June 26, 2013 by forcing the federal government to recognize
same-sex marriages in states where it is legal and paving the way for it in
California, the most populous state. The two cases, both decided on 5-4 votes,
concerned the constitutionality of a key part of a federal law, the 1996
Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), that denied benefits to same-sex married
couples, and a voter-approved California state law enacted in 2008, called
Proposition 8, that banned gay marriage.
The following are reaction quotes to the Supreme Court’s
decisions in the two gay marriage cases gathered by Associated Press
Politico.com:
“The laws of our land are catching up to the fundamental
truth that millions of Americans hold in our hearts: when all Americans are
treated as equal, no matter who they are or whom they love, we are all more
free.” – President Barack Obama.
“While I am obviously disappointed in the ruling, it is
always critical that we protect our system of checks and balances. A robust
national debate over marriage will continue in the public square, and it is my
hope that states will define marriage as the union between one man and one
woman.” – House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio.
“The Supreme Court’s decision affirms that all couples,
regardless of their sexual orientation, deserve the same rights and
opportunities under the law that my wife and I enjoy. The Defense of Marriage
Act was a discriminatory law that unfairly treated LGBT couples differently,
and has rightly been relegated to the dust bin of history.” – Sen. Michael
Bennet, D-Colo.
“While we are disappointed in the Supreme Court’s decision
to strike down part of the federal Defense of Marriage Act, the court today did
not impose the sweeping nationwide redefinition of natural marriage that was
sought. Time is not on the side of those seeking to create same-sex ‘marriage.’
As the American people are given time to experience the actual consequences of
redefining marriage, the public debate and opposition to the redefinition of
natural marriage will undoubtedly intensify.” – Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council.
“This is a watershed moment for equality and a clear
statement from the highest court in the land that discrimination and hatred
have no place in a country founded on the principles of liberty, justice and
equality.” – Rick Jacobs, chair of the California-based CourageCampaign.org.
“At the heart of the gay marriage argument is an untruth:
unions of two men or women are not the same as unions of husband and wife. The
law cannot make it so, it can only require us to paint pretty pictures to cover
up deep truths embedded in human nature.” – Maggie Gallagher, fellow at the
American Principles Project and co-founder of the National Organization for
Marriage.
“Today’s ruling affirms what we stand for as Americans – the
guarantee that every person and every family is given equal respect under the
law. It means that married same-sex couples can participate fully in federal
programs that provide much-needed security for American families.” –Rep.
Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y.
“We are devastated that the Supreme Court succumbed to
political pressure by voting to weaken the sacred institution. They neglected
our most precious children who need a mother and a father united in marriage
for healthy development.” – Rev. William Owens, president of Coalition of
African-American Pastors.
“Marriage is the true foundation for strong families. Every
loving, committed couple deserves the basic human right to get married, start a
family, and be treated equally under the law. No politician from this day
forward should try to stand in the way of this fact.” – Sen. Kirsten
Gillibrand, D-N.Y.
“The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision today puts the court on
the right side of history. DOMA is unjust, un-American, and out of step with
the values of our country.” – Rep. Jim Moran, D-VA.
“The Supreme Court bent the arc of history once again toward
justice. The court placed itself on the right side of history by discarding
Section 3 of the defenseless Defense of Marriage Act and by allowing marriage
equality for all families in California. The highest court in the land
reaffirmed the promise inscribed into its walls: ‘equal justice under law.” –
House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.
“Today’s rulings advance civil marriage equality, but they
should also serve as a call for Christians to embrace religious marriage
equality. Countless faithful Christians have lived out their lives in committed
same-sex relationships, and we have seen the fruits of their fidelity in our
families, our congregations and our communities. If we use this historic moment
to see more clearly how their faithfulness contributes to the common good, we
will better be able to walk with our LGBT sisters and brothers as an act of
Christian faith.” – Rev. Gary Hall, dean of Washington National Cathedral.
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