In a 5-4 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that same-sex couples can marry nationwide, ending decades of litigation over gay marriage and gay rights. Gay rights supporters cheered, sang, danced and cried in front of the court following the decision being announced. They shouted “Love has won,” as the plaintiffs exited the Court.
Justice Anthony Kennedy, who wrote the majority opinion, is also the author of all three of the Court’s previous gay rights landmark decisions.
Casey Penk, 23, of Brooklyn NY, camps out early in front of the United States Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., on June 26, 2015, to await the Court's ruling on the ability of same sex couples to marry. Same sex marriage proponents await the court's ruling in front of the United States Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., on June 26, 2015. News media interns run out of the the United States Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., on June 26, 2015, with the Justices ruling in the Obergefell v. Hodges case on the right of same sex couples to marry. The Court's 5-4 ruling was announced that legalizes the ability for same-sex couples to marry nationwide. The 5-4 ruling had Justice Anthony Kennedy writing for the majority. President Barack Obama said during a press conference after the ruling was announced that "This ruling is a victory for America."Supporters of same sex marriage celebrate in front of the United States Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., on June 26, 2015, after the Court's 5-4 ruling was announced that legalizes the ability for same-sex couples to marry nationwide.
FROM THE MAJORITY OPINION:
“No union is more profound than marriage, for it embodies the highest ideals of love, fidelity,devotion, sacrifice, and family.
In forming a marital union, two people become something greater than once they were. As some of the petitioners in these cases demonstrate, marriage embodies a love that may endure even past death.
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.
The judgment of the Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit is reversed.
It is so ordered.”
Supporters of same sex marriage celebrate in front of the United States Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., on June 26, 2015, after the Court's 5-4 ruling was announced that legalizes the ability for same-sex couples to marry nationwide. Ikeita Cantu, right, and her wife Carmen Guzman, of McLean, Va. celebrate in front of the United States Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., on June 26, 2015, after the Court's 5-4 ruling was announced that legalizes the ability for same-sex couples to marry nationwide.Supporters of same sex marriage celebrate in front of the United States Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., on June 26, 2015, after the Court's 5-4 ruling was announced that legalizes the ability for same-sex couples to marry nationwide. Eric Coraggio, 22, of Succassunna, NJ, celebates with same sex marriage proponents in front of the United States Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., on June 26, 2015, after the Court's 5-4 ruling was announced that legalizes the ability for same-sex couples to marry nationwide. Same sex marriage proponent, Chris Svoboda, President of the Virginia Equality Bar Association, celebrates in front of the United States Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., on June 26, 2015, after the Court's 5-4 ruling was announced that legalizes the ability for same-sex couples to marry nationwide. The 5-4 ruling had Justice Anthony Kennedy writing for the majority. President Barack Obama said during a press conference after the ruling was announced that "This ruling is a victory for America."Supporters of same sex marriage celebrate in front of the United States Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., on June 26, 2015, after the Court's 5-4 ruling was announced that legalizes the ability for same-sex couples to marry nationwide. Jim Obergefell, lead plaintiff, in the sex marriage case, hold up a photograph of his former partner, John Arthur, who died from complications from ALS. as he speaks to the media in front of the United States Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., on June 26, 2015, after the Court's 5-4 ruling was announced that legalizes the ability for same-sex couples to marry nationwide. Supporters of same sex marriage celebrate in front of the United States Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., on June 26, 2015, after the Court's 5-4 ruling was announced that legalizes the ability for same-sex couples to marry nationwide.
Pete Marovich is a photojournalist based in the Washington D.C. metro area covering the White House and Capitol Hill. He is co-creator of American-Journal Magazine and serves as photo editor.See more of Pete’s work at petemarovichimages.com.
Pete Marovich is a photojournalist based in the Washington D.C. metro area covering the White House and Capitol Hill. He is co-creator of American-Journal Magazine and serves as photo editor.See more of Pete’s work at petemarovichimages.com.