Gay marriage is legal in all 50 states after the Supreme Court ruled 5 to 4 in a landmark decision Friday. Justice Anthony M. Kennedy wrote the majority opinion for the ruling, which marks the culmination of a years-long fight for gay rights activists. Massachusetts was the first state to legalize gay marriage in 2004. Gay marriages began in D.C. in 2010.
“It would misunderstand these men and women to say they disrespect the idea of marriage,” Kennedy said in the ruling.
We went to the Supreme Court to capture the reaction to the ruling:
Hundreds of people flocked to the front of the Supreme Court Friday morning to celebrate the decision. Desiree Halpern | Photo Editor
Tom Fulton, 57, and Robert Westover, 51, kiss during an interview following the Supreme Court ruling to legalize gay marriage in all 50 states. Westover said the gay rights movement “needs to move at lightning speed.” Desiree Halpern | Photo Editor
The attendees of the Supreme Court case exit the building and are greeted by a throng of spectators and reporters. Desiree Halpern | Photo Editor
Representatives from religious groups showed their support for the decision, including Pastor Jill McCrory from Twinbrook Baptist Church in Rockville, M.D. and Phil Attey from Catholics for Equality. Desiree Halpern | Photo Editor
Supporters turn towards the Capitol Building to cheer on public figures leaving the Supreme Court grounds. Desiree Halpern | Photo Editor
Ikeita Cantú and Carmen Guzmán display colorful signs as they stood in front of the Supreme Court. Cantú and Guzmán regularly attend LGBT-related rallies outside of the Supreme Court. Desiree Halpern | Photo Editor
