A Civil Rights Victory Today!

by Hannah the Zebra

My friend's wedding

My friend’s wedding

This morning, our United States Supreme Court ruled 5-4 in favor of granting both the civil liberty and the legal protection for all couples to marry in all 50 states, regardless of whether the couple is gay or straight. Married gay couples will finally enjoy the same legal rights and benefits as married straight couples. They will be able to have health benefits through one partner, death benefits, hospital visitation rights, inheritance rights, the ability to file a joint income tax return, be recognized on official documents such as birth and death certificates, and will finally have the ability to move to any state in the union and be able to have all those rights recognized.

Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote for the majority:

“No union is more profound than marriage, for it embodies the highest ideals of love, fidelity, devotion, sacrifice and family. In forming a marital union, two people become something greater than they once were.”

“[Same sex couples’] hope 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.”

This has been a long road to equality, but today we celebrate a  great victory. Marriage is marriage. Period. And it is protected by law. For EVERYONE.

And to everyone of you out there who couldn’t get married before, but can now, my heartfelt love.
xoxo
Hannah