It's been difficult to tweet and update Facebook through tears of joy interrupted only by sips of champagne, but somehow the community has managed.
Here's a roundup of some of our favorite reactions to the striking down of DOMA and the dismissal of Proposition 8, but keep checking back as we update this post when more flood in:
Today is the day I finally get to look at the man I love and say, “will you please marry me.”
Edith Windsor, DOMA plaintiff:
I want to go to Stonewall right now!
Lorri Jean, L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center CEO:
A grievous wrong has finally been righted. Justice has prevailed and the freedom to marry for California’s same-sex couples has been restored. Now no one can take it from us!
CA Sen. Mark Leno:
Today is also an affirmation of the power of coming out, telling our stories and putting love and authenticity foremost in our lives. With legal doctrine, legislative victories and public opinion increasingly on our side, LGBT Americans can finally envision a day where future generations will look back and wonder how this outcome could have ever been in doubt and why it took so long to happen.
Sen. Tammy Baldwin:
Today the U.S. Supreme Court issued decisions in two historic cases that reflect the progress we have all witnessed across our country. This progress is defined by the ideal that more and more Americans want to leave to the next generation a country that is more equal, not less.
The nation’s highest court reaffirmed our founding belief that all Americans are created equal under the law. The Court made a strong statement for equality and freedom, overturning discrimination against gay and lesbian American citizens simply because of who they love.
(Noon est)
Mike Huckabee:
My thought on the SCOTUS ruling that determined that same sex marriage is okay: "Jesus wept."
@AndrewRannells:
America made a great stride toward equality for all today. There is still a fight ahead of us, but this is a huge victory. #equality
Wilson Cruz:
At long last, the legal marriages of countless gay and lesbian couples will be afforded the same federal recognition and protections as any other," said GLAAD spokesperson Wilson Cruz. "Today is a cornerstone for justice and equality — when our nation once again moved closer to recognizing and celebrating all LGBT Americans for their contributions to our great country.
John O'Connor, Equality California Executive Director:
We have said from the beginning that the proponents of Prop. 8 couldn’t demonstrate a single way they would be harmed by loving same-sex couples marrying in California,” said John O’Connor, Equality California executive director. “Marriage will be restored imminently and we look forward to decisive leadership from our elected officials in reinstating marriage for all people in every community across the state. Today is a day for celebration.
Abbe Land, Executive Director and CEO of the Trevor Project:
The Trevor Project proudly celebrates the Supreme Court of the United States' ruling to reduce discrimination against LGBT couples. It sends a strong message to LGBTQ youth that their dreams for a happily ever after have value and that the freedom to marry is possible.
Brian Brown, head bigot at National Organization for Marriage:
In a miscarriage of justice the US Supreme Court has refused to consider the decision of a single federal court judge to overturn the perfectly legal action of over 7 million California voters who passed Proposition 8 defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman. The Supreme Court's holding that proponents of an initiative had no legal right to appeal ignores California law and rewards corrupt politicians for abandoning their duty to defend traditional marriage laws.
It's imperative that Congress continue to preserve the right of states to protect true marriage and refuse to recognize faux marriages performed in other states or countries. There is a stench coming from this case that has now stained the Supreme Court. They've allowed corrupt politicians and judges to betray the voters, rewarding them for their betrayal. It's an illegitimate decision. We and millions of other Americans will refuse to accept this rogue decision rewarding corruption.
We also urge Congress to reject the inevitable attempts to dismantle remaining elements of DOMA, including the right of states to refuse to recognize so-called gay marriages performed elsewhere. The vast majority of American voters have expressed with their votes their desire to maintain marriage as the union of one man and one woman. That decision should be respected and left undisturbed.
Maggie Gallagher:
The Supreme Court has just abandoned 7 million voters, giving us no justice and no access to the courts. The California Supreme Court made it clear that the proponents of Prop 8 are delegated the right to defend the law if state official refuse to do so. But after accepting standing in DOMA because. . .well because it wanted to, the majority of the Supreme Court justices simply punted unable to recognize a clear injustice in kicking out of court people who have devoted thousands of hours to the democratic process –and $3 million to the defense of the law–that the Court today treats as beggars with no interest in the outcome.
After years of struggle, the U.S. Supreme Court today has made same-sex marriage a reality in California. In light of the decision, I have directed the California Department of Public Health to advise the state’s counties that they must begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples in California as soon as the Ninth Circuit confirms the stay is lifted.
Attorney General Eric Holder:
[Today is] an enormous triumph for equal protection under the law for all Americans.
Bill and Hillary Clinton:
By overturning the Defense of Marriage Act, the Court recognized that discrimination towards any group holds us all back in our efforts to form a more perfect union. We are also encouraged that marriage equality may soon return to California. We applaud the hard work of the advocates who have fought so relentlessly for this day, and congratulate Edie Windsor on her historic victory.
(1:15 p.m. est)
​Rush Limbaugh:
The rulings demonstrate "the distentegration of the United States"
Bryan Fischer, head bigot at American Family Association:
Supreme Court "has Now Made The Normalization Of Polygamy, Pedophilia, Incest And Bestiality Inevitable."
@adamlambert:
Down w DOMA! Something to be very proud of this upcoming July 4th. We are making beautiful progress for Equality! #proud
@PauleyPerrette:
After many prayers and tears, A historic day for Justice and Equality for ALL. Goodbye #DOMA Goodbye #Prop8 Hello Love.
Ellen DeGeneres:
It's a supremely wonderful day for equality. Prop 8 is over, and so is DOMA. Congratulations everyone. And I mean everyone.
(1:45 p.m. est)
​@LanceBass:
BYE BYE BYE Prop 8 and DOMA!! (Had to!) Today we celebrate this huge victory. Tomorrow, we continue the fight for the rest of the states!!
LDS Mormon Church:
By ruling that supporters of Proposition 8 lacked standing to bring this case to court, the Supreme Court has highlighted troubling questions about how our democratic and judicial system operates. Many Californians will wonder if there is something fundamentally wrong when their government will not defend or protect a popular vote that reflects the views of a majority of their citizens.
In addition, the effect of the ruling is to raise further complex jurisdictional issues that will need to be resolved.
Regardless of the court decision, the Church remains irrevocably committed to strengthening traditional marriage between a man and a woman, which for thousands of years has proven to be the best environment for nurturing children. Notably, the court decision does not change the definition of marriage in nearly three fourths of the states.
(3 p.m. EST)
Randy Thomasson, president of SaveCalifornia.com:
Sexual behavior does not constitute a civil right, but the Supreme Court has done vast damage to man-woman marriage, the foundation of the natural family. The high court's refusal to correct the unconstitutional rulings of lower-court judges and the dereliction of duty by constitution-bound state officials demonstrates that not only is natural, man-woman marriage no longer respected but neither is our republic and system of written laws.
(4 p.m. est)
Joan Rivers:
Any straight person complaining about the Supreme Court striking down DOMA should be forced to hire a heterosexual wedding planner!
