(Additional reporting by Ashley Jost)
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — After the Supreme Court issued highly anticipated rulings on LGBT rights today, state gay rights advocacy groups embraced the rulings as a significant step forward in their efforts, while groups on the more conservative side of the issue shared opposing sentiments.
The Supreme Court of the United States ruled in a 5-4 decision that the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) — which would have allowed the federal government to prohibit legally married same sex couples from collecting federal benefits — was unconstitutional, impacting everything from social security payouts to immigration status for millions of gay couples.
The Court also heard arguments on Proposition 8, the California ban on same sex marriage. The law was knocked down by a lower court last year, deeming it unconstitutional, and the Supreme Court chose to accept the ruling from the lower court, ultimately abolishing the law.
Aaron Malin, Executive Director of Missourians For Equality, told The Missouri Times this morning that the ruling was “encouraging.” Malin spoke from Washington D.C., where he has been standing outside the Supreme Court all morning, waiting for the ruling.
“We’re excited that the court took a huge step toward federal equality today,” Malin said. “However, our struggle for full equality for all LGBT Americans continues on. Over two thirds of all states do not provide equal marriage rights to same-sex couples. In Missouri, LGBT citizens can still be fired, denied housing, or discriminated again in public accommodations. While today’s ruling is extremely encouraging, there is still a lot of work to be done, both in Missouri and elsewhere.”
In a press release, AJ Bockelman , Executive Director of PROMO —the states largest LGBT right group — said “history was made.”
“As we go forth from today, we should celebrate this moment, but realize full, equal and just treatment of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community is still a challenge,” Bockelman said. “Understanding the impact on Missouri will take a bit of time, but rest assured, we will continue to fight for justice on behalf of the community in everything from basic protections to marriage rights.”
During a press conference today, Gov. Jay Nixon said he thinks the DOMA ruling “reflects the reality that reasonable people are seeing these issues of equality in new ways.”
“Many Americans are reflecting on what constitutes as discrimination,” Nixon said. “None of us want to live in a society where there’s discrimination. That’s one of the bedrocks of our Democracy.”
As to what future the issue has in Missouri on a legislative level, Nixon said he couldn’t speak to what might or might not happen during the next three years.
While many people were active in their support or opposition on social media, many of the released statements during the past few hours came from, predominantly, supporters of the ruling.
Joe Ortwerth, Executive Director of the Missouri Family Policy Council, said in a statement that the Council is pleased the Court didn’t “radically redefine the institution of marriage” in the country.
“Marriage between a man and a woman has been the cornerstone of the vitality and character of American culture since its founding,” Ortwerth said. “Countless generations have been blessed by the traditional family unit joined by together by a man and woman in commitment to each other and their children.”
The Missouri Republican Party also issued a statement Wednesday evening. The Party commended the Court for acting on the will of the people as a proponent of state-by-state laws. Matthew Willis, the Party’s Communication Director, said the state already took a stance on the issue of same-sex marriage in 2004 with the passage of Amendment 2. He said the party plans to continue working to uphold those facts.
Collin Reischman was the Managing Editor for The Missouri Times, and a graduate of Webster University with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism.
