Another landmark notch in the Obama Administration’s belt
A short while ago, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 5-4 in favor of the nationwide legalization of same-sex marriage, overturning all individual state bans. Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy‘s statement for the majority was the following.
No union is more profound than marriage, for it embodies the highest ideals of love, fidelity, devotion, sacrifice, and family. [The petitioners] ask for equal dignity in the eyes of the law. The Constitution grants them that right.
Kennedy, along the other 8 justices, were presiding over the controversial Obergefell v. Hodges case, in which Jim Obergefell of Ohio sued his home state for failing to allow him to be the surviving spouse of his late husband, John. The two were married in Maryland, where same-sex marriage has been legal since New Year’s Day of 2013. Sonia Sotomayor, who made history in 2009 when she became the first Hispanic Supreme Court Justice in American history, was among the 5 judges who ruled in favor of Obergefell, and, ostensibly, same-sex marriage.
Kennedy’s ruling comments continued as follows:
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.
