Interviews conducted by Mary Ellen McIntire, Jeremy Diamond, Karolina Ramos and Brianna Gurciullo

In D.C. and across the country, the Supreme Court rulings on same-sex marriage evoked strong reactions from GW students Wednesday. The verdicts favored gay rights activists, as the court struck down the Defense of Marriage Act and paved the way for same-sex marriage in California. More same-sex marriage coverage.

Danny Wein

Senior political science major

“Today, I stationed myself by the press section of the crowd [at the Supreme Court]. As the decisions came down I was able to watch the crowd, but also was able to stand by with my camera and shoot some amazing photos. My heart was absolutely beating out of my chest because I had no idea where it was going to go because unlike the Affordable Care Act it was a decision that affected me…The reaction was overwhelmingly in favor of repealing DOMA and in favor of gay marriage, so it was absolute euphoria. People were crying and people were hugging each other and it was really moving.”

Amanda Robbins

Sophomore political science major | Political affairs director for the Young America’s Foundation

“My first reaction to the SCOTUS decisions was slightly dissapointed because I had hoped the court would not interfere with a state’s decision which was decided upon by the people of California, democratically….Traditional marriages have been the building blocks of society for thousands of years. Same-sex marriage is essentially a social experiment so time will tell what the cultural, social, and economic outcomes will be.”

Ian Ceccarelli 

Junior political science and dance major | Vice chairman of Marvin Center Governing Board

“I was hoping for SCOTUS to basically overturn Prop 8 and DOMA. I wanted gay marriage legalized throughout our nation. So this ruling, though groundbreaking, is also somewhat disappointing for me. I’m straight, but gay marriage is one of my top legislative and political issues. I’m obviously thrilled that the Supreme Court was savvy enough not to declare either program constitutional, but this issue is such a no-brainer, I’m shocked there was not more of a breakthrough. People still cannot marry equally throughout our entire nation. That’s heinous.”