Reaction to Friday’s landmark marriage-equality ruling is pouring in from all corners of the country. Here’s a sampling of what some of our local leaders are saying about the ruling:
“This is an historic and joyous occasion. We know from our experience here in Pennsylvania that no one is hurt when people are allowed to marry the person he or she loves. We should all be proud of this victory for equality, freedom and love. It is an important step on this country’s journey to full acceptance of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans.” — Reggie Shuford, executive director of the ACLU of Pennsylvania.
“I applaud the United States Supreme Court for ruling in favor of equality and human rights, and I congratulate members of the LGBTQ community for winning the fight they have waged for so long. Love prevailed in the Supreme Court decision. The pursuit of happiness is a fundamental right that dates back to the very founding of this nation. LGBTQ rights are human rights, and everyone deserves to be able to marry the person they love. I’m proud to support marriage equality in Pennsylvania and beyond.” — Lt. Gov. Mike Stack
“I am thrilled for our country that the Supreme Court has come down on the side of equality. At the same time, I am concerned for people who are at risk of getting fired for getting married. In most of Pennsylvania and many other states, it is still legal to fire someone or deny them an apartment, a hotel room or a table in a restaurant because they are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender.” — state Rep. Brian Sims
“Today’s landmark Supreme Court decision affirming the legality of same sex marriage is a victory not only for same sex couples, their families and children, but affirms the rights of all citizens for equal treatment under the law. Our great nation spends billions of dollars protecting the civil rights of human beings around the world. It is appropriate that in our system of justice, we vigorously defend our Constitution in every instance and protect the civil liberties of those here at home as well.” — PA Attorney General Kathleen Kane
“There are hardly words to describe how excited we are. Marriage equality is a constitutional right. We’re honored that New Jersey was a leader in the marriage equality movement, and we’re simply elated to see the rest of the country join us in celebrating love and justice.” — Garden State Equality executive director Andrea Bowen
“This morning’s Supreme Court decision in Obergefell v. Hodges is the last hurdle for same sex couples seeking marriage equality. The justices found that the Constitution guarantees equal treatment under the law for LGBT Americans, which is a right extended to state-issued marriage licenses. All Americans can marry whomever they love no matter what state they live in; when they travel from state to state, the legal status of their marriage is recognized by law everywhere. This is a great day for all of Pennsylvania’s families.” — ichael Morrill, executive director of Keystone Progress
“In recognizing our rights and the dignity of our relationships, the court has granted Americans who identify as lesbian, gay or bisexual a level of relationship recognition that never before existed. Today’s ruling represents a significant milestone on the path to full equality for the LGBT community.” — Thomas Ude, legal and public-policy director of Mazzoni Center
“The Philadelphia Bar Association has had longstanding support in favor of marriage equality. Most recently, in January 2014, its Board of Governors unanimously adopted a resolution supporting marriage equality in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. As noted in the resolution, ‘denying same-sex couples the ability to marry under civil law deprives individuals of equal protection and equal rights under the law … and such deprivations contravene the constitutions of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the United States of America.’ The Philadelphia Bar Association applauds the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges holding that the Fourteenth Amendment requires a state to license a marriage between two people of the same sex and to recognize a marriage between two people of the same sex when their marriage was lawfully licensed and performed out-of-State.” — The Philadelphia Bar Association
“Today, I join with millions across our great nation in celebrating this landmark decision to affirm marriage equality in the United States of America. Now, LGBTQ individuals will have the right to marry whomever they choose, wherever they choose. Now, all families will have equal, protective rights and benefits in all 50 states. This is a monumental step forward in our country’s pursuit of equal rights for all. Today, everyone who has fought so hard for this moment can stand proud knowing that marriage is a fundamental right. It is a proud day for America because love has won.” — Congressman Chaka Fattah
“In Philadelphia, wise minds settled the matter of equality decades ago, making it illegal to fire people or deny them public accommodations and everyday rights simply based on who they love or how they identify themselves. The U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling today on marriage equality now makes it clear that Pennsylvania and other states must catch up to such thinking, and make equality and nondiscrimination the law of the land.” — Rue Landau, executive director of the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations
“We have come a long way, but we are far from finished. Today’s Supreme Court ruling only goes to show that hate is simply not acceptable in this country, and in Pennsylvania we need to come together and pass anti-discrimination laws to protect all our citizens and ensure true equality for all.” — state Rep. Steve McCarter
“Today’s decision, written by Justice Kennedy, puts America on the right side of history by making clear that the 14th Amendment requires states to license a marriage between people of the same sex. This decision sets our nation one more step forward on the path to full equality under the law. Those of us who have fought for years for marriage equality are overjoyed. We all owe a great deal of gratitude to Mr. Obergefell and his stellar legal team.” — Adrian Shanker, Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center executive director
“It’s a truly great day when every person in America is treated equally when it comes to marrying the person you love. We couldn’t be more pleased with the court’s decision and this will mean a lot to couples and their families all across the country.” — Michael Testa, Equality Pennsylvania board president
“Today’s ruling is a tremendous victory, but it is also a call to action. Philadelphians must rally together and demand a statewide nondiscrimination law that protects on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity and expression. As one of the most LGBT-friendly cities in the nation, it is our responsibility to continue fighting until complete equality is a reality in every corner of this state and this country.” — Jim Kenney, Democratic nominee for Philadelphia mayor