WASHINGTON — The United State Supreme Court today ruled that state same-sex marriage bans were unconstitutional and in violation of the 14th Amendment, effectively legalizing same-sex marriage in every state in the country.
The ruling was 5-4 with Justice Anthony Kennedy serving as the swing vote. Kennedy would also go on to author the majority opinion. The case, Obergefell v. Hodges, saw several same-sex couples suing their respective states over those states’ prohibition of same-sex marriage. Plantiffs like Obergefell argued that such bans violated their right to equal protection under the law.
Same-sex marriage has been the beneficiary of largely favorable court rulings since the SCOTUS Windsor decision in which the court ruled against the federal Defense of Marriage Act. Since then, dozens of states have seen their own same-sex marriage bans overturned.
When President Obama took office, only 2 states had full, legally recognized same-sex marriage. Today’s ruling will allow those same unions in every single state in the country.
Missouri politicos reacted to the ruling. This post will be updated with more comments as they come.
“The history of our country has always been one of moving toward inclusion and equality. I applaud the court for their courage and strong sense of fairness. Missourians should be seen as equals under the law; regardless of their gender, race, or whom they love.” – Attorney General Chris Koster
“Today’s decision in Obergefell v. Hodges is a major victory for equality and an important step toward a fairer and more just society for all Americans. No one should be discriminated against because of who they are or who they love. In the coming days, I will be taking all necessary and appropriate actions to ensure this decision is implemented throughout the state of Missouri.” — Gov. Jay Nixon
“To say that today is historic is an understatement. Many people have labored to see this day become a reality. It is a reminder that our movement for justice and equality is built over time, vote by vote; case by case and through heart to heart conversations. Coming on the eve of St. Louis’ Pridefest this weekend, commemorating the Stonewall Riots four decades ago, this decision marches us into a new era of equal rights.” – AJ Bockelman, PROMO Executive Director
“The overwhelming change in public opinion regarding marriage equality is astonishing, even to those of us who have worked on LGBT rights for decades. Today’s decision makes marriage equality the law of the land. This is a day that will be noted in history books for Missouri’s same-sex couples, and all Americans, who had to wait to obtain a marriage license so they can marry in their home state.” – Jeffrey Mittman, Executive Director of the ACLU of Missouri
“I am overjoyed the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled the Constitution prohibits government from treating me like a second-class citizen and guarantees my right to marry my partner of 23 years. The court’s action marks yet another example this week of the politics of hate being put to rest. Although many Missourians share my joy, I know others will disagree. However, this ruling does nothing to change the definition of marriage when it comes to one’s church or religious beliefs. No clergyman will be forced to perform a same-sex marriage; no religion will be compelled to recognize them. The decision simply means government may no longer arbitrarily exclude certain citizens from enjoying the benefits of civil marriage. I am hopeful that intolerant and homophobic messages will not rule this day. Love is love, and our state and nation will be stronger now that more families have access to the institution of marriage.” — Rep. Mike Colona, D-St. Louis
“This landmark ruling in Obergefell v Hodges affirms the fundamental constitutional guarantee of equal protection under the law for every American, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. No one has the right to tell someone else who they can love. And no one has the right to define someone else’s family. This decision is a major advance for civil rights and a victory for millions of LGBT Americans who deserve the freedom to marry and to have that life commitment legally recognized in every state.” U.S. Rep. Lacy Clay
“Strong families hold communities together. I am very proud that the City’s clear, direct legal challenge to Missouri’s unconstitutional ban on marriage equality was upheld by the courts, allowing all couples to marry in our City and St. Louis County. Today, we celebrate the United States Supreme Court’s decision to grant that right to all couples everywhere. Finally, Americans can just call it marriage. We stood a year ago with John Durnell and Richard Eaton; Tod Martin and David Gray; Miranda Duschack and Mimo Davis; and Bruce Yampolsky and Terry Garrett. Standing up for families to make their lives better is a habit I want our City to continue as our state and country debate other issues.” — Saint Louis Mayor Francis Slay
“We are deeply concerned about the ripple effects of this decision. Will certain religious organizations and people of many different faiths now have to choose between violating their deeply held beliefs or risk being dragged into court?. The Constitution of the United States which every member of the Supreme Court is sworn to uphold specifically reserves powers not explicitly given to the federal government to the individual states. Elections have consequences. We can have majorities in both Chambers, but until we get a president who will appoint Supreme Court Justices who will fight for states’ rights, we will be left with insufficient authority.” — state senate majority floor leader, Ron Richard, R-Joplin
“This decision has strong bearing on the ability of the citizens of our state to establish by public vote the social constructs under which they will live. In 2004, the citizens of our state voted overwhelmingly to put into the Missouri Constitution a definition of marriage that reflected the history and traditions of Western civilization for centuries. Now, a handful of lawyers in Washington, D.C. have decided that they know better and that citizens are incapable of determining such important questions under their own state laws and constitutions.” — Senate Pro Tem Tom Dempsey, R-St. Charles.
Collin Reischman was the Managing Editor for The Missouri Times, and a graduate of Webster University with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism.
