In a landmark opinion, a divided Supreme Court ruled Friday
that states cannot ban same-sex marriage, establishing a new civil right and
handing gay rights advocates a victory that until very recently would have
seemed unthinkable. The 5-4 ruling had Justice Anthony Kennedy writing for the
majority with the four liberal justices. The far-reaching decision settles one
of the major civil rights fights of this era, one that has rapidly evolved in
the minds of the American public and its leaders, including President Barack
Obama.
"No union is more profound than marriage, for it
embodies the highest ideals of love, fidelity, devotion, sacrifice and
family," Kennedy wrote. "In forming a marital union, two people
become something greater than they once were."
"Their hope," Kennedy wrote, "is not to be
condemned to live in loneliness, excluded from one of civilization's oldest
institutions. They ask for equal dignity in the eyes of the law. The Constitution
grants them that right," the judge said as the gay supporters outside the
court couldn’t hold their joy as they jubilated.
