Phil Ammann
The U.S. Supreme Court declared Friday that same-sex couples have a right to marry anywhere in the United States.
“No union is more profound than marriage, for it embodies the highest ideals of love, fidelity, devotion, sacrifice, and family, the Court said in its majority ruling. “[Challengers] ask for equal dignity in the eyes of the law. The Constitution grants them that right.”
Gay and lesbian couples already could marry in 36 states and the District of Columbia. The court’s 5-4 ruling means the remaining 14 states, in the South and Midwest, will have to stop enforcing their bans on same-sex marriage.
Here is a compilation of reactions from Florida’s elected officials and politicians:
Former Gov. Jeb Bush:
Guided by my faith, I believe in traditional marriage. I believe the Supreme Court should have allowed the states to make this decision. I also believe that we should love our neighbor and respect others, including those making lifetime commitments. In a country as diverse as ours, good people who have opposing views should be able to live side by side. It is now crucial that as a country we protect religious freedom and the right of conscience and also not discriminate.
U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson:
Today’s ruling reaffirms one of the paramount principles of America that we’re all created equal and have the right to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness.
U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio:
I believe that marriage, as the key to strong family life, is the most important institution in our society and should be between one man and one woman. People who disagree with the traditional definition of marriage have the right to change their state laws. That is the right of our people, not the right of the unelected judges or justices of the Supreme Court. This decision short-circuits the political process that has been underway on the state level for years.
While I disagree with this decision, we live in a republic and must abide by the law. As we look ahead, it must be a priority of the next president to nominate judges and justices committed to applying the Constitution as written and originally understood.
The next president and all in public office must strive to protect the First Amendment rights of religious institutions and millions of Americans whose faiths hold a traditional view of marriage. This is a constitutional duty, not a political opinion. Our nation was founded on the human right of religious freedom, and our elected leaders have a duty to protect that right by ensuring that no one is compelled by law to violate their conscience.
I firmly believe the question of same sex marriage is a question of the definition of an institution, not the dignity of a human being. Every American has the right to pursue happiness as they see fit. Not every American has to agree on every issue, but all of us do have to share our country. A large number of Americans will continue to believe in traditional marriage, and a large number of Americans will be pleased with the Court’s decision today. In the years ahead, it is my hope that each side will respect the dignity of the other.
U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy:
This is a historic day in our nation’s history. For too long, same-sex couples have been discriminated against because of who they are and who they love. Today, that ends. We are a nation that prides itself on the diversity of our citizens, and I applaud the Supreme Court’s decision to give same-sex couples equal marriage rights under the law once and for all.
U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson:
Love has conquered all! The Supreme Court has done the right thing morally and legally in confirming every American’s right to marry whom he or she chooses. This day has been a long time coming, and one that heralds another advance for civil rights in America. I had the honor of serving as the ring-bearer at the first same-sex marriage in Central Florida, and I look forward to celebrating at the weddings of my gay and lesbian friends across the nation.
U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz:
I enthusiastically applaud the Supreme Court’s decision in the case of Obergefell v. Hodges. This decision, and what it means for the LGBT community, has been a long-time coming and is the result of decades of struggle and perseverance.
Now, same-sex couples throughout the country will be guaranteed the recognition and legal protections they so fully deserve. No longer will their families be viewed as lesser in the eyes of the law.
Last week I had the privilege of officiating a same-sex wedding right across the street from the Supreme Court building. It was clear that the love between Alex and Robert is no different than the love I share with my husband Steve. Love is love, and love is now the law.
Today is a day of celebration, and as we move forward from this important victory, Democrats will continue fighting to ensure that nobody in this country faces discrimination because of who they are or whom they love.
U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor:
Today, the U.S. Supreme Court determined that equal rights are fundamental to our American values and our nation can now turn the page on a patchwork of discriminatory state laws that have blocked marriage equality.
It is a great day for this historic announcement in Tampa Bay as we kick off our annual LGBT Pride Parade, one of the largest in Florida. It is truly a historic step forward – all loving couples who make a lifetime commitment to each other should be recognized no matter where they live, move or travel to throughout the country. In my community and throughout my home state of Florida we have fought resolutely for equal rights. It is clear today that those who have opposed marriage equality stand on the wrong side of history and all the hard work in my community, state and throughout the country will not be undone by those in other states standing in the way of progress and equality.
U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson:
In 1967, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on another landmark case, Loving v. Virginia, that enabled blacks and whites to legally enter into marriage. The world has evolved even more in the ensuing decades, which the court recognized today in its 5 to 4 decision that requires all states to perform same-sex marriages and to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states. I am proud to live in an America in which gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people have the freedom and fundamental right to marry the man or woman they have chosen to love.
U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen:
Our nation was founded on the basis of equal rights and today, the Supreme Court’s decision reflected our values. The ability to marry is now a right all Americans have and we no longer must wonder why one class of people has been singled out under the law. Simply put, and the majority of Americans would agree, the union of two people in marriage should not be based on gender, but on love.
State Rep. David Richardson:
The court’s decision is welcomed and overdue. Now that the rights of so many Floridians are fully protected, I urge those of us who direct state policy to embrace this moment and expand beyond legality and open our arms to equality and opportunity. We all need to recognize the environment we can create in Florida as a progressive, accepting place to live and do business. This is our chance to reverse decades of bigotry and perception about our great state. Today is a great day in American history. I hope we have the wisdom and will in Florida to take advantage of this incredible opportunity. Let’s make this a day when more than the law of the United States changed and seize the initiative to affirm Florida as a welcoming home to all people and all enterprises.
ACLU of Florida Executive Director Howard Simon:
This is an historic win for couples in Florida and across the country. Six months ago, the freedom for all to marry was secured in Florida when a federal judge issued a ruling in our case that struck down Florida’s ban on marriages for couples of the same sex. Today’s historic ruling means that victory – and similar court victories across the country — will stand and that the remaining states will all be barred from refusing to issue marriage license to loving and committed same-sex couples.
“The Supreme Court has affirmed what a majority of Floridians and indeed all Americans have come to understand: that the freedom to marry is a precious and fundamental right that we all share under the Constitution, and that no family should be denied that. We are proud of our colleagues from the two ACLU lawsuits that were among the cases that brought about this decision. But more importantly, we are thrilled for the hundreds of thousands of couples and their families for whom this victory has been decades in the making.
As we celebrate this day and look forward to this decision being swiftly implemented nationwide, we must prepare to turn the momentum of this moment to dismantling the remaining barriers to full equality for LGBT citizens. In Florida, that means making sure that LGBT Floridians are also protected in civil rights laws against workplace and housing discrimination and ensure that the civil rights of transgender Floridians are also protected by civil rights laws. In addition, we must prevent the enactment of laws that would give license to discriminate against LGBT people.
No American family should be denied the full rights and security promised by our country under law simply because of who they are. Today’s ruling brings us one big step closer to securing full equality for all Americans.
Material from the Associated Press was used in this post.
