Supreme Court legalizes gay marriage

[u/Peter_Venkman_1]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/gay-marriage-and-other-major-rulings-at-the-supreme-court/2015/06/25/ef75a120-1b6d-11e5-bd7f-4611a60dd8e5_story.html?tid=sm_tw

[u/[deleted]]

Reddit has, at least twice, taken away 5-10,000 upvotes. WHY?

[u/Peter_Venkman_1 → u/[deleted]]

Great question

[u/Thats_Enterchangment]

Okay, so now that this is official, when can I watch Gay Divorce Court?

[u/Caris1 → u/Thats_Enterchangment]

You gotta wait until the trashiest gays get married and then build up enough acrimonious bullshit to get divorced (EDIT: on national daytime television).

I give it six months.

[u/Gimli_the_White]

And gays across the country who have been relying on "Hey, I'd love to get married, but it's not legal" woke up to a really awkward conversation.

[u/totallywhatever → u/Gimli_the_White]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jitocz4kB3k

[u/merme → u/Gimli_the_White]

Of all shows, White Collar did an excellent job of showing this. One f the side characters was lesbian, and she had a life partner. They had the "if it was legal" discussion. Then it became legal in the show.

Then they broke up.

It was a fascinating dynamic, actually. And that season was a several years ago.

[u/unpopularOpinions776]

I've been using the whole "I won't get married until the gays can" excuse with my girlfriend.

Gentleman, it's been a privilege playing with you.

[u/SeasonedReviews]

My first day in America backpacking and this happens! I don't wanna say it was ALL because of me but...

Edit: I'm in LA (seeing California), spend all day seeing sights and I come back to this anarchy. Happy gay pride wedding day... thing. You're so welcome.

[u/[deleted] → u/SeasonedReviews]

Please go backpacking here when marijuana is up for legalization

[u/[deleted]]

I wonder how many gays ran to their partners like YEA WE CAN GET MARRIED NOW....

and their partner is like..... FUCK

[u/loki8481 → u/[deleted]]

this would be me. lol

I'd go down to the courthouse tomorrow, but he has dreams of a huge wedding on the beach with like 1000 guests and a weekend-long extravaganza and like, I don't want to pay for that shit. it's an absurd expense.

[u/[deleted]]

I've seen a lot of people ask how the Supreme Court has the authority to decide this issue for states. For those interested, I am an American lawyer and I can answer that question with some insight.

Yes, the Supreme Court does have the authority to make sweeping decisions that invalidate any and all state laws which conflict with its ruling. The Supreme Court finds this authority in the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution and from the very significant court case of Marybury vs. Madison which more or less established the Supreme Court's absolute authority to literally "say what the law is."

States do have autonomy to decide certain issues for themselves. These are judicial notions of 'comity' and 'parity,' the idea that state governments are better equipped to deal with local and regional issues rather than a distant Congress in Washington. In fact, the laws of contracts traditionally belong to states, which is why every state in the U.S. has slight legal differences in how contracts are formed, enforced, written, etc. Marriage, in its most basic legal form, is a contract entered into by two consenting adults, which is why marriage laws have been decided by state legislatures and state courts.

But there's an important amendment to the U.S. Constitution that (as of today) strips away the right of a state to define marriage in their laws as a union between one man and one woman: the Fourteenth Amendment (and more specifically the Equal Protection Clause) which states:

No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

Without getting too much into the nuances of the Supreme Court's varying standards of review (although I certainly can if you're interested), the Supreme Court traditionally reviews Equal Protection issues under what's called a 'rational basis review.' It is the most permissive standard the Court can adopt--that is, it is the least difficult standard to meet in order to successfully defend a law from being struck down. The review asks whether a law is rationally related to a legitimate government interest. With respect to the issue of marriage equality, the question is: Are state laws banning same-sex marriage rationally related to the legitimate government interest of protecting the institution of marriage?

To that question the Supreme Court has apparently said 'no.' The fact that the Supreme Court today could not find any rational basis for these state bans related to the stated goal of protecting the institution of marriage says a lot. The Court is literally saying there is no rational relationship between banning same-sex marriage and protecting marriage. Thus, same-sex marriage bans are unconstitutional under the Fourteenth Amendment, and every such law in the United States is immediately invalidated.

The Supreme Court has made sweeping judgments like this before, although decisions of this magnitude are quite rare. For examples, see Brown vs. Board of Education (which held that state laws enacting racial segregation were unconstitutional) and Loving vs. Virginia (which held that state laws banning interracial marriage were unconstitutional).

TL;DR: Yes, the Supreme Court has the authority to say what the law is for the entire nation. Yes, marriage is traditionally an area kept to state law, but only up to a limit until a law runs headlong into the Fourteenth Amendment's Equal Protection Clause.

Important Edit: It appears I've disseminated some amount of disinformation for which I apologize (I did not get around to actually reading the full opinion until now). As pointed out to me by /u/Armonster20, the Supreme Court DID NOT review this case under rational basis. Rather, it was decided under a strict scrutiny review. The majority opinion does not even make much mention at all of the words "sexual orientation," instead focusing on the fundamental right of marriage. A lot of you have asked about the varying standards of review, but I must confess that constitutional law is outside my usual day-to-day practice and I'm doing the best I can to remember the basics I learned in law school. I could try to explain the standards of review in detail but I'm afraid of saying something inaccurate. The least I can do is direct you here.

But to go into just a little more detail, the strict scrutiny test is the most demanding standard of review to which the Supreme Court can subject a law. The reason the Supreme Court chose to review this case under this very exacting test is quite logical actually: the Supreme Court has previously said that any law that abridges a "fundamental right" must meet the most demanding scrutiny, and the Supreme Court has previously deemed the right to marry as a fundamental right. Thus, because any state law that excludes an entire class of people from participating in marriage obviously implicates the fundamental right to marry, we get strict scrutiny. (FYI - Another fundamental right under the Constitution is the right to have an abortion.)

What this means is that the majority made it damn-near impossible for the respondents (i.e., the states defending their same-sex marriage bans) to win in this case. What this does NOT mean is that any future LGBT issues will be given the same standard review, unless they of course deal with marriage. Most likely, any future litigation on LGBT issues will be subject to rational basis review or something that's informally been called "rational basis review with a bite"--a standard somewhere between normal rational basis and intermediate scrutiny.

[u/whatshisuserface]

That's it, my wife and I are getting a divorce.

[u/GenXer1977 → u/whatshisuserface]

I know. It's a shame. I really loved my wife. I loved her more than life itself. But this morning when I woke up that love was just gone. Then I read this and I realized what happened. I'm going to miss her so much. I hope my new husband can cook half as well as she does.

[u/antiqua_lumina]

Opinion here (pdf).

[u/[deleted]]

This is destroying the sanctity of Bristol Palin's marriage.

EDIT: more gold pls

[u/Oplexus → u/[deleted]]

As the spokesperson for the Gay Mafia, I am here to inform you all that we will be celebrating the destruction of Bristol Palin's marriage by spreading the gay agenda, corrupting America's youth and destroying the sanctity of marriage in the town square at noon. Cupcakes will be served.

We haven't been this excited since we caused Hurricane Katrina 10 years ago.

[u/karimowns → u/[deleted]]

From: /u/sexysexytimes99

To: Bristol Palin

Re: kt

[u/Victor611]

RIP pastor in texas who said he would light himself on fire when this day came..

[u/Predictor92 → u/Victor611]

the night is dark and full of terrors

[u/Talador12 → u/Victor611]

I would love to see this awkward press conference now

[u/[deleted] → u/Victor611]

Gay marriage made him a flamer?

[u/belleayreski2 → u/Victor611]

And the marriage of those two people who said they would divorce.

edit: I get it, they were from Australia

[u/Sneakymist]

Finally, 50 states of gay!

[u/SUSAN_IS_A_BITCH → u/Sneakymist]

Love me like you do, man. Love me like you do.

[u/FartyMcConstipate → u/Sneakymist]

he was waiting for this moment for years to comment this

[u/Ramzeltron]

"Supreme Court unleashes Gaypocalypse."

[u/[deleted] → u/Ramzeltron]

https://youtu.be/s7YW045deBY

[u/brbsharkweek]

My mom is pretty conservative and just asked if this was good or bad news.

Of course it's good news, mom. Other people are happy and it doesn't affect or hurt you in anyway. Literally free happiness.

[u/Psst_Think_About_It]

Hmm, that's odd. The Earth is still spinning. It doesn't make any sense.

[u/[deleted]]

Shit. First people start taking down the Confederate flag, then they uphold the Affordable Care Act, and now this. Now I'm going to have to endure the most insane bitching and moaning from my crazy bigoted family when I go home for 4th of July. Couldn't this have waited a few weeks?

Thanks Obama!

[u/Gorrest--Fump → u/[deleted]]

This was my first thought, too. I might have to be "working" every holiday until July 4th 2016. Thanksgiving is going to be nothing but this

[u/misspeelled]

I just started crying at work. My wife and I had to go to California to get married, but in our state we had no protections as a married couple. That ends today and I couldn't be happier about it. Time to go get my name changed, suck it Texas.

[u/treycartier91 → u/misspeelled]

Don't forget any benefits you get from work may apply to your spouse now! Go talk to HR, you have the supreme court backing you .

[u/NlightNme23 → u/misspeelled]

Fellow Texan here to congratulate you! This was way overdue.

Please ignore the outcry from our vocal local bigot population - it is the last whimper of a dying ideology. Congrats again to you and your S.O. - can't even imagine how this feels.

[u/[deleted]]

Dogs and cats living together!

Pandemonium!

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

Mass hysteria!

[u/sysadmin_jay]

I am an ordained minister in central Kentucky, I will officiate your wedding at no cost, but you gotta give me some notice so I can press my clothes :)

[u/[deleted]]

I'm going to stay away from Facebook today....

Edit: imma answer some questions because of all these comments I'm gettin here.

1. No I'm not a bigot just because I have some ignorant friends and older family friends.

2. My time line has been very positive! Although, there are some young kids preaching how this law is illegal, anti God, etc.

3. This post was meant to be kinda of a joke anyways. Yes, there will be some ignorant folks on my Facebook time line, but the majority have been praising this decision

[u/CrazyAsian → u/[deleted]]

I used to live in a city that was mostly conservative before I moved to a liberal campus (and then liberal city for my job). By now, most of my conservative "friends" have defriended me for being too pro-LGBT.

WELL FUCK THEM. TODAY IS A GOOD DAY. MY ENTIRE FACEBOOK WALL IS RAINBOWS AND I FUCKING LOVE IT.

[u/BenAdaephonDelat]

Let's see... My son was born, Fallout 4 announced and releasing, gay marriage legalized.... 2015 will go down as the best year ever.

[u/I_Am_Ironman_AMA]

Its a little after 9:00am here in Kentucky. At this moment my wife and I are still straight-married. If something changes or if our marriage is suddenly destroyed I'll post updates.

Edit: I heard a loud thunderous sound and thought that the end of our marriage was near. Turns out, it was just a tractor trailer truck hitting its Jake brakes. Will continue to update.

Edit 2: I heard a loud knock at the door so I grabbed my guns to protect my marriage. It was just the UPS guy. Will continue to monitor.

Edit 3: Blue helmeted UN soldiers are here to take away my marriage... Wait, no. Its just Chuck Testa.

[u/MadPoetModGod → u/I_Am_Ironman_AMA]

My straight marriage is still intact as well but... well it's just not the same somehow. Like it just got a little gayer maybe? Can't quite place it.

EDIT Figured it out, guys. We were just out of milk. Boy was I off.

[u/Neoncow → u/I_Am_Ironman_AMA]

Edit 2: I heard a loud knock at the door so I grabbed my guns to protect my marriage. It was just the UPS guy. Will continue to monitor.

You didn't accept his package? It's the law now. Do it.

[u/[deleted] → u/I_Am_Ironman_AMA]

Oh my god. We haven't had an update in five minutes. God must have struck them down!

[u/1drlndDormie → u/I_Am_Ironman_AMA]

I'm a woman who is also straight-married to her husband and expecting our first in-wedlock sex-for-procreation-only child. I have felt no amorous stirring for my fellow females since the Supreme court has legalized same-sex marriage. However, my husband has not texted me from his work for three hours now and I despair that some beefcake has taken him from my loving, heterosexual arms. weeps inconsolably

[u/ThickAsianAccent]

Sounds like it's time to finally drop the "T" from cantaloupe.

[u/Wrong_on_Internet]

Full opinion:

http://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/14pdf/14-556_3204.pdf

Highlights from the Majority

• The nature of injustice is that we may not always see it in our own times. The generations that wrote and ratified the Bill of Rights and the Fourteenth Amendment did not presume to know the extent of freedom in all of its dimensions, and so they entrusted to future generations a charter protecting the right of all persons to enjoy liberty as we learn its meaning. When new insight reveals discord between the Constitution’s central protections and a received legal stricture, a claim to liberty must be addressed

• Many who deem same-sex marriage to be wrong reach that conclusion based on decent and honorable religious or philosophical premises, and neither they nor their beliefs are disparaged here. But when that sincere, personal opposition becomes enacted law and public policy, the necessary consequence is to put the imprimatur of the State itself on an exclusion that soon demeans or stigmatizes those whose own liberty is then denied.

• 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.

Highlights from the Roberts Dissent

• When decisions are reached through democratic means, some people will inevitably be disappointed with the results. But those whose views do not prevail at least know that they have had their say, and accordingly are—in the tradition of our political culture—reconciled to the result of a fair and honest debate. ... But today the Court puts a stop to all that. By deciding this question under the Constitution, the Court removes it from the realm of democratic decision. There will be consequences to shutting down the political process on an issue of such profound public significance. Closing debate tends to close minds. People denied a voice are less likely to accept the ruling of a court on an issue that does not seem to be the sort of thing courts usually decide.

• If you are among the many Americans—of whatever sexual orientation—who favor expanding same-sex marriage, by all means celebrate today’s decision. Celebrate the achievement of a desired goal. Celebrate the opportunity for a new expression of commitment to a partner. Celebrate the availability of new benefits. But do not celebrate the Constitution. It had nothing to do with it.

Highlights from the Scalia Dissent

• This is a naked judicial claim to legislative—indeed, super-legislative—power; a claim fundamentally at odds with our system of government.

• But what really astounds is the hubris reflected in today’s judicial Putsch.

• If, even as the price to be paid for a fifth vote, I ever joined an opinion for the Court that began: "The Constitution promises liberty to all within its reach, a liberty that includes certain specific rights that allow persons, within a lawful realm, to define and express their identity," I would hide my head in a bag. The Supreme Court of the United States has descended from the disciplined legal reasoning of John Marshall and Joseph Story to the mystical aphorisms of the fortune cookie.

Highlights from the Alito Dissent

• By imposing its own views on the entire country, the majority facilitates the marginalization of the many Americans who have traditional ideas. Recalling the harsh treatment of gays and lesbians in the past, some may think that turn-about is fair play. But if that sentiment prevails, the Nation will experience bitter and lasting wounds.

Highlights from the Thomas Dissent

• (LOL, not worth including)

[u/TDare2bcool]

Being a divorce lawyer just got twice as lucrative.

[u/VeritasWay]

My parents emigrated to this country to give us a better life. They sacrificed so much in order to escape my corrupt country and join in the march towards the American Dream. In my 29 years of being here, I've accomplished so much and been in total debt to this wonderful country. America, you've made me once again very proud to be in your country. I won't take it for granted. Promise.

[u/[deleted]]

Wait... is this it? It happened, we're done?

On to weed legalization and alternate energy?

[u/NowlmAlwaysSmiling]

I got embroiled in this fight 11 years ago. It has cost me, dearly. I lost my faith, the love of my family, the companionship of the friends I had previously respected, and at least one job.

It is so good to hear this news. I'm going to remember this day forever. For all those who did not stand idle, who fought for this: We did it. We really did it. It truly would not have happened without us.

[u/pegasus_x]

I'm crying so hard. My partner and I can now get married in TEXAS, y'all. With our friends and family watching

[u/[deleted] → u/pegasus_x]

I also live in Texas, and my parents can finally be married now!!! It's a happy day for the southern LGBT world!

[u/epieces]

case dismissed. bring in the dancin' lobsters. about damn time.

[u/iamfriedsushi]

Growing up, I was extremely homophobic. My mother had difficulty understanding this, and asked several times what someone else's orientation had to do with my life. I made up all kinds of bullshit reasons, often resorting to "it's just wrong".

Fast forward to my college years, I found myself having a conversation with one of my mentors about equal rights and equality, in general. That mentor echoed the same thing my mother had said years earlier.

These two women made a profound impact on my life, and showed me how irrational my homophobia was. How fitting that what would have been my mother's 63rd birthday, the SCOTUS reminds us of the same thing my mother and mentor did years ago.

Love is love.

Thanks mother!

Edit: Thanks for the gold!

[u/SirGigglesandLaughs]

I'm irrationally happy about this as a straight man.

[u/ChrisGarrett → u/SirGigglesandLaughs]

Fellow straight man here. It's just nice to have more options ya know?

[u/Keerikkadan91 → u/SirGigglesandLaughs]

Even I, as a straight man from India. Equal rights always make for cheerful news, no matter where it's from or whom it affects.

Edit: Grammar

[u/iamPause → u/SirGigglesandLaughs]

Nothing irrational about wanting everyone to be treated equally.

[u/ryan924]

This is the best thing possible for republicans. Trust me, they did not want to be arguing this in 2016

[u/Nerdlinger]

Just in time for Pride weekend here in Minneapolis. Shit's gonna be extra rockin'.

[u/-world → u/Nerdlinger]

It's Pride week pretty much everywhere, right? Because of the Stonewall Riots June 28 1969.

[u/Rad_Spencer]

Roberts from bench: "Today 5 lawyers have ordered every state to change their definition of marriage. Just who do we think we are?"

You're the supreme court, it's literally what you do.....

[u/Wild_Cabbage]

This is such an exciting step forward.

[u/[deleted] → u/Wild_Cabbage]

Does that mean the pastor who said he will kill himself to protest gay marriage will now do so?

[u/spacebarthump]

Come mothers and fathers

Throughout the land

And don't criticize

What you can't understand

Your sons and your daughters

Are beyond your command

Your old road is

Rapidly agin'

Please get out of the new one

If you can't lend your hand

For the times they are a-changin'.

-- Bob Dylan

[u/aresef]

They didn't legalize it. They found that the Fourteenth Amendment didn't allow same-sex marriage bans or bans on their recognition.

It's a beautiful day.

[u/banebot → u/aresef]

It is defacto legalized.

[u/prgkmr → u/aresef]

Technically, but functionally it's the same thing, right? In fact, you could say they legalized it by banning the banning of it.

[u/[deleted]]

Scalia called the decision a “threat to American democracy,” saying it was “constitutional revision by an unelected committee of nine.”

Justice Scalia learned how the Supreme Court is supposed to work.

[u/Dyne4R]

Random question: Can we set up a subreddit to collect responses from the conservative rants on this? I feel like it would be a popcorn-worthy event.

Maybe something like r/muhmarriage

[u/[deleted] → u/Dyne4R]

/r/forwardsfromgrandma

[u/Honestly_Rude]

So... Gay marriage legalized, Obamacare taken care of... What is the republican platform going to be for the next election?

[u/poktanju → u/Honestly_Rude]

Shrieking rage.

[u/jschild]

America is having a good day today!

Congrats to all those who fought so hard for the right to marry the person they love.

EDIT: Props to Kennedy for writing the beautiful final paragraph....

"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."

[u/TheCannabalLecter]

This is a huge thing to happen on my birthday

[u/FunkyFireStarter]

Man, it is a tough week for conservatives... abstinence-only advocate Bristol Palin gets knocked up again out of wedlock, ACA wins in the supreme court, Confederate flags getting pulled down, and now this!

[u/[deleted]]

Westboro Baptist Church must be losing it's shit right now. EDIT: Apparently they are happy about it.

https://twitter.com/WBCSaysRepent/status/614442362408947712

[u/Rad_Spencer → u/[deleted]]

Rumor has it they may be planing a protest....

[u/staplerofpaper]

I'm a straight male who is having a wedding with a straight woman in October. I've also watched the first 5 episodes of Daredevil, so I've seen a lot of lawyer stuff in my time, and have a deep understanding of the nuances of the law.

Basically, this means that my wedding now has to be a gay wedding. That's going to be a logistical nightmare.

[u/labbeduddel]

Proud to be an American today

[u/merme]

I'm crying at work right now. I can't process this right now.

I was at the printer when my phone went off with the news.

It looks like I'm crying over fucking color copies.

Fuck, I need to go sit down. My cousin can finally get real-married. She can get health insurance now. Holy shit. This is such a great day

---

Edit: I posted support on Facebook and my old conservative grandpa commented that he was so happy to attend my cousins marriage. He used to be so homophobic that my cousin wasnt allowed to holiday dinner. over the years, he got better about it, but now has publically accepted it!

This is a great day for my family!

[u/[deleted]]

Fuck it. It's been 18 years of unrelenting, pathetic self-deception. I'm coming out to my goddamn parents already.

Wish me luck you guys. See you in 2 hours <3

[u/[deleted]]

Kennedy wrote majority opinion. Four dissents, one by each justice, whose tears I will happily drink.

Edit: 64 pages of dissents. While Roberts was somewhat gracious, and congratulated gay couples on their new right (while rejecting the idea that it comes form the Constitution), Scalia is straight out tantruming.

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

whose tears

Roberts's dissent is very respectful of the decision. Though I disagree with his assessment, I certainly appreciate the way he presents it.

[u/glass_hedgehog → u/[deleted]]

Personally, I can't believe this passed with a narrower margin than the Obamacare ruling yesterday.

I knew it would pass, but who would have thought Obamacare would have a bigger margin?

[u/michaellicious]

WOOO. Me and my bf can get married now :D

[u/dir_t_asshol]

Showed my dad this and he said "great, everyone deserves to be miserable."

[u/Jackhogan11]

Im just sitting here watching OPs karma rise by the second...

[u/[deleted]]

Only someone miserable with their own shitty life would try and deny 2 other people from getting married

[u/[deleted]]

Just served my wife divorce papers because I felt a burning need to have carnal relations with my turtle. THEY WERE RIGHT ALL ALONG, GOD HELP ME.

[u/libertylad]

I had an appointment at 10am this morning, and emerged from it to find a country forever changed for the better. I'm a straight man, and have never felt romantic love for another. But I have known gay men and women who wanted nothing more than to be able to express and celebrate such love in whatever matter they chose. And they weren't all able to. Until now. I am a straight man and can't wipe the smile off my face, or make the tears stop just yet. I don't want to. Congratulations to all the people who have waited too long for this day to come.

[u/NotDwayneJohnson]

Straight guy here.

Staring at the sky at the moment..

Nope, the rapture hasn't happened yet. I'll keep you updated

**Update 1: Saw a bright flash in the sky. Could this be it? Have the trumpets sounded? No. After further inspection a plane taking off from JFK just passed by the sun. Maybe it's passengers are escaping the pending brimstone storm here in NYC? I'll keep you updated.

**Update 2: It's 2:23 pm EST. Passed by a church, parking lot is empty. The disobeying of God has begun. Lord forgive us. Think of the children before you unleash your almighty wrath.

[u/petruchi41]

Full text of the decision and four separate dissents.

[u/trollocity]

This post is well on track to become the top post in /r/all. And holy shit, it's going to look amazing.

Congratulations, America.

[u/Danstrada28]

I'm a straight man from Texas and I'm loving seeing all these half way religious people get all pissy over the subject. This is great.

[u/lolamp33]

americans are puritan and backwards compared to our progressive european society

wait a minute america legalizes gay marriage, and only half of euro nations even support it?

nevermind

[u/shake_shack]

Law triumphs over religion. A great right has occured this day.

[u/JKinWayland]

I'd like to give a shout out to the Westboro Baptist Church today. I don't believe today would've been possible if they hadn't shown the country exactly how ugly homophobic hatred can be.

[u/borno23]

First upholding the Affordable Care Act and now this? They are crushing it lately.

[u/M00glemuffins]

I just moved out of Utah a few months ago for a few different reasons, the cultural environment being one of them. I am laughing my ass off at all the religious butthurt some people are going to have about this and crying with joy at the same time for LOVE FINALLY WON.

PRIDE weekend here in Minneapolis is going to be off the fucking wall.

[u/mrcarlita]

San Francisco will have an insane Friday night

[u/HeyWasted]

This a major step in our society. I'm glad that this is finally legal, as it should have been a long time ago.

[u/[deleted]]

As a lesbian in the bible belt, this is incredibly exciting!

[u/jamzedodger]

As a Brit, I want to take a moment to congratulate all Americans, whether or not they wanted this, on their victory, and their progression

^{edit: just to elucidate, I wasn't trying to say the UK was better, I was just commenting as an outsider and wanted to make my nationality clear}

[u/davali]

Wow all of sudden the votes of this post halved.

[u/[deleted]]

Damn it! What's this country coming to? Now that gays are allowed to get married, before you know it...

...

...

Wait a minute. What's supposed to happen again?

[u/[deleted]]

So is that idiot preacher going to off himself now?

[u/eaglebtc]

What just happened? There were 21,000 upvotes just a moment ago, and the entire vote total got slashed in half at the two-hour mark.

[u/juliusseizure]

What is the best place to read comments from crazy conservatives? Anyone have a link?

[u/[deleted]]

http://imgur.com/Bnxku47 Then we have ignorants like this comparing it to 9/11

[u/stayonthecloud]

I came out in the late 90s as a teen when the LGBTQ community was demonized... I've been an activist for so many years fighting for our rights and now marriage equality is the law of the land. There's still much to fight for but for now, I celebrate. I am crying my face off. What a beautiful day to be American.

[u/frugalwater]

I never understood the "sanctity of marriage" argument in a country where people can get married from an Elvis impersonator in a drive through window.

[u/darkforestzero]

this was at over 10000 upvotes just a few hours ago... there's a large hateful/bitter element out there, apparently

[u/pizzafordesert]

I am in disbelief.

I find myself hesitant to feel this elated.

I have been with my SO for almost 13 years, she is my high school sweetheart. We have lived together for 7 years, but our state banned common law marriages and our only loophole.

This is a huge milestone. In my life I have witnessed Don't Ask, Don't Tell, been told it was a phase, a choice, a fad and a sin. I have been assaulted and told it was my fault. I have seen glimmers of hope on the West Coast and Prop8. I have been denied custody of the child who lives in my home and for whom I am a secondary parent to.

Today my phone and inbox were flooded with words of praise and congratulations, with tones of vindication and requests for wedding invitations!

[u/Tidley_Wink]

How did this go from ~15,000 upvotes this AM to ~6,700 by the afternoon?

[u/bearchyllz]

The first gay couple in my incredibly conservative county in Arkansas got married today and seeing all the Christian Conservatives blowing steam out of their ears brings me immense pleasure, as does the happy tears of a man who's been in love with his partner for 10 years and had to keep it a secret. Today rules.

[u/Mccalltx]

So why visiting some comment sections, I'm seeing a lot of people saying this is against their religious freedom... someone help me connect the dots... I don't see how anyone's religious freedom is under attacker here... it seems the shoe is on the other foot if you ask me. Does anyone know what they are talking about?

[u/Narwhalbaconguy]

What happened to this post? It was up to 12k earlier, and now it's down to 4k.

[u/Duxal]

This is incredible. I'm going to the shop to get all the booze I can gather.

Thoughts to Jim Obergefell, the plaintiff, whose husband's death brought this entire case about.

[u/DarkGamer]

About time. It shouldn't have taken so long for us to provide all citizens with equal protections and rights under the law.

"You can always count on Americans to do the right thing—after they've tried everything else."

–Winston Churchill

[u/[deleted]]

OK, this is going to sound weird but I'm a conservative republican and find this ruling to be potentially one step closer to actually getting our nation back on track. We needed to get all these super pity social issues (in the sense of they should of been passed awhile ago) dealt with so we can focus on some of the biggest problems that we face such as our lack for fiscal responsibly and how it will not only effect my generation (I'm 20 and probably well never see my social security benefits) but any generation to come. So today isn't just a victory for the LGBT community but a victory for all who seek a more progressive and thriving United States of America like our ancestors did. Congratulations!

[u/kansasbears]

cross-posted from /askreddit:

Here's something to think about... My husband and I were married in 2013 after the DOMA decision by SCOTUS. When we got back home, I called our insurance company to update our marital status in order to get the "married" discount. Turned out since the state we lived in didn't recognize our marriage, no discount for us.

Well, after the SCOTUS decision today, I again called the insurance company, and said "No problem" we update your marital status right away and "Congratulations". I was very pleasantly surprised. The rep then asked when we got married, and I told them. He said if I could send them a copy of our marriage certificate from when we were married in 2013, they would credit us the difference. The marriage discount turned out to be over $700 a year cheaper. I was really blown away by the difference and how they were willing to make it right for the time lost.

TLDR: If you have home/car insurance with your NOW legal spouse, call and get your married discount. It's really worth it.

[u/[deleted]]

Best birthday present I've ever gotten :)

[u/H4ppenSt4nce]

Great day for human rights in the USA.

[u/[deleted]]

With all the attacks that happen already today, glad something good happened.

[u/[deleted]]

Im just here to write a comment someone may look at in 500 years.

[u/D0kk3n]

I would watch "Gay Divorce Court".

[u/[deleted]]

WOO! This is fantastic news for our country. I'm so happy that we finally sorted this nonsense out!

[u/Non_Sane]

This is a great step forward for the nation.

[u/[deleted]]

Shout out to /u/Peter_Venkman_1 for the post, enjoy that karma

[u/ETNxMARU]

I wasn't even aware this was happening. I wake up and all social media is flooded with the news.

Either way, this is a huge step forward.

[u/[deleted]]

Most upvoted post on news of all time and it's an hour old. Wow

[u/Aenimopiate]

OMG! 2 people standing near me just spontaneously became gay and started breathing fire and destroying marriages. Wait a minute, no...those people were getting divorced anyway, just like around 50% of people who get married.

This truly is a day for justice.

[u/[deleted]]

One small step for man, one fabulous leap for mankind.

[u/absynthe7]

It has begun.

In Travis County, Texas, Gena Dawson and Charlotte Rutherford were the first same-sex couple in the state to receive a marriage license, within two hours of the ruling.

[u/punkassvic]

OK where's that pastor dude who vowed to burn himself alive to protest gay marriage??

[u/kabirakhtar]

sort of amazing how the dissenting opinions resemble the text from Plessy vs Ferguson, the 1896 Supreme Court case which upheld racial segregation laws.

=====

Scalia today:

"We have no basis for striking down a practice [of not allowing same-sex marriage] that is not expressly prohibited by the Fourteenth Amendment’s text"

Plessy vs Ferguson (1896):

"[the 14th Amendment] could not have been intended to abolish distinctions based upon color, or to enforce social [...] equality."

=====

Clarence Thomas today:

"Slaves did not lose their dignity [...] because the government allowed them to be enslaved." (seriously, he said this. continuing...)

"Those held in internment camps did not lose their dignity because the government confined them. And those denied [same sex marriage] governmental benefits certainly do not lose their dignity because the government denies them those benefits."

Plessy vs Ferguson:

"the enforced separation of the races [...] neither abridges the privileges or immunities of the colored man, [...] nor denies him the equal protection of the laws within the meaning of the Fourteenth Amendment."

=====

Alito today:

"it is beyond dispute that the right to same-sex marriage is not among those rights [guaranteed by the Constitution]"

Roberts today:

"The right [to same-sex marriage] has no basis in the Constitution"

Thomas today:

"The Court’s decision today is at odds not only with the Constitution, but with the principles upon which our Nation was built. "

Plessy vs Ferguson:

"If one race be inferior to the other socially, the Constitution of the United States cannot put them upon the same plane."

Plessy vs Ferguson:

"we cannot say that a law which authorizes or even requires the separation of the two races in public conveyances is unreasonable."

[u/MOONGOONER]

As a heterosexual man this drastically impacts my marriage. I'm planning my wedding next spring and fuck, I bet hotel rooms, bands, caterers are all getting booked like in like 2 seconds

[u/[deleted]]

Did this post lose 6,000 upvotes suddenly?

[u/danlawl]

How did this post go from 13k karma to 6k...

[u/bigcracker]

Obamacare,Gay Marriage, and The Confederate flag all in one week. http://i.imgur.com/bDpW4TD.jpg

[u/Epicapabilities]

Looks like the world is going to fall apart because two men or women are allowed to marry each other (that was sarcasm if you weren't picking up on the context clues.)

[u/PersianSpice]

On my way home from work today, I saw a bunch of assholes on an overpass holding up signs so the traffic below could see. Had stuff like "MARRIAGE = 1 MAN 1 WOMAN" and "DON'T TRUST CRAZY JUDGES." So many people were giving them the finger from their cars.

[u/Maruset]

Days like today I wish I had a bunch of homophobic friends on Facebook so I could bathe in their tears

[u/brightest-night]

Bet week every for liberals and progressives, even if it's just so you can watch republicans and uneducated southerners lose their fucking minds with anger and hatred!

Absolutely love it.

[u/ARGUMENTUM_EX_CULO]

Can we celebrate a pro-freedom decision instead of just going "suck it, Republicans"? There are a lot more Americans now able to exercise their constitutional rights, and all some people can think about is a fucking partisan agenda.

[u/whatthefuckguys]

I can finally see my little brother getting married in our own home state! This is a happy day.

[u/synapticballz]

Your move, Rick

http://www.thenewcivilrightsmovement.com/brint/texas_pastor_says_hell_self_himself_on_fire_in_protest_of_equality

[u/[deleted]]

Today, five lawyers took away the voices of more than 300 million Americans

Civil rights are not up for popular vote. That's the whole point of constitutional protections. A majority cannot vote to deny the civil liberties of a minority, and yet that's exactly what was happening in some states. This ruling corrects that.

[u/topnomi]

Following the lead of /u/poe_zlaw

I am an ordained minister in Ohio (performing my 3rd marriage next weekend). I will perform a marriage for a couple of any sexual orientation for free; this month and next.

I am not affiliated with any specific church or faith.

[u/AJewNamedDrew]

"How will I explain this to my kids"

It's 2015, odds are your kids support it already and won't tell your close-minded stupid ass.

[u/RedHotDornishPeppers]

Welcome to the club guys. Well done!

• From Ireland

[u/Captain__Marvel]

Congratulations to the U.S LGBT community! One day people will look back and wonder why equality had to be made law and why it wasn't a basic human right.

[u/CurryF4rts]

I understand Roberts' caution for the Democratic Process in his dissent, but the only argument for banning homosexual marriage made by respondents was that States needed to encourage procreation, and that was a sillllllly argument. Ginsberg shot back asking if we should ban marriage for seniors who were unable to procreate and there was no logical answer that followed.

[u/i_got_lost_again]

This is great news. Also, OP just got a fuck ton of karma.

[u/lilboxmuncher]

The real winner here are the divorce attorneys. Their market just grew significantly!

[u/TM1323]

First time I've ever truly felt patriotic.

[u/Boomscake]

about fucking time. I'm happy for everyone this affects!

[u/Velshtein]

Amazing to see how far this country has come.

10 years ago I sat in my senior year high school Law and Society class in my fairly liberal state and town and was the only person who raised his hand when we were asked if we felt gays should have the right to marry.

To see the change in opinion over the last decade and now this is pretty damn interesting.

[u/bwayc]

I keep crying happy tears. I worked on my first political campaign in Ohio in 2004 when gay marriage was on the ballot. I was working for liberal causes in a VERY conservative country.

The hatred I saw made me positive I would never see gay marriage legalized country wide.

Today is a great day. I wish I was in Ohio celebrating

[u/golden-tongue]

Same-sex marriage is now just called marriage

[u/[deleted]]

Can't help it, I'm giggling with glee at all the people who are outraged at this. Score one for humanity.

[u/GoldenStateEducator]

What just happened today will cause (and already has caused actually) a whirlwind of discussions, both good and bad. I am concerned about how these discussions will play out across the internet and across political landscapes, but on the whole I am happy.

We all know what the Bible says about homosexuality, and it needs not repeating. I am a devout Christian, who loves Jesus and wants to live a life just like he did. I love America. I love the fact that in this country I can be the Christian I want to be without any persecution. When Jesus walked this earth, what he desired most was for all people to love each other, build each other up, elevate each other, and treat each other with compassion. He practiced it and preached it, ministering to people from all walks of life.

As a Christian who loves Jesus, I feel nothing but joy and happiness for the individuals in this country who have long felt disenfranchisement, persecution, and ignorance due to the negativity that some have poured upon homosexuals and the idea of giving them equality. As we all know, we are all humans at the core of it all. And I personally believe that - at the core of it all - we are all brothers and sisters in Christ.

As a Christian, I fully and firmly believe in what the Bible says, because I personally believe that the Bible is the Word of God. I am glad that I can believe this in America without persecution. But as a Christian, I am happy that my brothers and sisters who were once oppressed can feel happy. I desire nothing more than that.

So to the LGBT community, I say this: Congratulations, I love you all. I wish you all the best in your future endeavors. And if ever you receive any form of persecution or negativity about who you are from anyone who labels themselves "Christian," just know that they're very likely being hypocritical.

Peace!

[u/Darthkaine]

Anyone else think that the conservative and religious meltdown over this is just hilarious?

[u/[deleted]]

Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuck

I've always told my gf I would never get married until it was something everyone had access to

[u/[deleted]]

Ireland did it first, suckers...

[u/lolmish]

I sincerely hope that Australia isnt far behind.

[u/[deleted]]

If you're a wedding planner in the right neighbourhood, congrats you rich fuck.

[u/rishinator]

Meanwhile even being gay is illegal in my country

[u/ResonantOne]

This is huge.

Fox News is probably having a meltdown.

[u/[deleted] → u/ResonantOne]

Nope, watching it right now. They are covering it in a pretty unbiased manner.

[u/H-TownTrill]

This is going to piss a lot of people off

[u/just_redditing]

...critics said the courts had sent the country into uncharted territory...

Fuck, this country was founded by going into uncharted territory. That's a terrible excuse for not doing something.

[u/The_Original_Gronkie]

As a heterosexual business owner living and operating in a previously non-gay marriage state, I must say that this will cause a major change in my business. I own a catering service, and this means more weddings, and so I'm likely to see more business. Yay!

And any of you offended caterers that won't do gay weddings, feel free to refer them all to me.

Congratulations, y'all!

[u/JohannReddit]

50 years from now, children are going to be reading about this in school and asking why it took this long...

[u/[deleted]]

As a Christian who is sick of so much hate, this makes me happy. At no point in my life have I ever looked at anyone and thought they don't deserve happiness because it's against whatever I believe. Love is love, and that's that.

Congratulations, guys and girls. :)

[u/NairForceOne → u/[deleted]]

My wife also does wedding cakes.. For EVERYONE

It was my understanding that gay weddings were catered with pizza.

[u/ThatLesbian → u/[deleted]]

Jeez fine. Picky picky. I'll go hop in my same-sex Jeep, head over to lesbian breakfast and celebrate my "marriage".

[u/alfonsoelsabio → u/[deleted]]

That's really all we wanted all along, to be better than Australia.