This week, the United States Supreme Court was faced with a landmark decision involving the legalization of same-sex marriage across the country. The high court was confronted with two questions, whether states can ban same-sex marriage and whether states must recognize same-sex marriages performed legally in other states.
The Washington Post reports that this morning, the Supreme Court ruled that the 14th Amendment requires individual states to license a same-sex marriage. The nine justices reviewed an appellate court's decision to uphold gay marriage bans in Michigan, Kentucky, Ohio and Tennessee.
The landmark ruling was a 5-4 decision with the majority opinion written by Justice Anthony Kennedy, who declared, "From their beginning to their most recent page, the annals of human history reveal the transcendent importance of marriage."
Along with Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Elena Kagan, Stephen Breyer and Sonia Sotomayor, Kennedy writes that same-sex marriage is a fundamental right deriving from "four principles and traditions" which include individual autonomy, commitment, the safeguarding of children and families and social order.
In a speech today from the White House, President Obama stated: "Today we can say on no uncertain terms that we've made our union a little more perfect. America should be very proud."
Below, check out how stars from Broadway and Hollywood reacted to the historic ruling:
Michael Michetti, Director of Off-Broadway's THE TWENTIETH-CENTURY WAY: "Looking back even ten years ago, I never would have thought we would have made this much progress towards marriage equality in my lifetime, but I am awed by today's ruling by SCOTUS. Working on The Twentieth-Century Way, which is historically based on a particularly ugly moment of gay persecution exactly 100 years ago, reminds me of the astonishing progress of the last century. The play depicts a climate of hiding and entrapment and oppression and public humiliation, worlds away from today's just and compassionate ruling by the highest court in the land. I am moved and proud and deeply grateful."
George Takei: "This is a happy day, not just for LGBT Americans, but for all Americans. It is the beginning of an era where we no longer will speak about same-sex marriage, but of marriage. And one day, we need not speak of LGBT rights, for they simply will be human rights. Across this great land, families are celebrating because we truly are one family."
This is a thrilling moment in time. As with the story of Allegiance, we are truly 'One Family...Indivisible.' This historic day and decision by the highest court in our land makes us all truly united and one."
Ryan Murphy (source E! News): "Today for the first time I know what it feels like to truly be an American -- equal and protected under the law. It's a very emotional moment, one I never thought as a little boy growing up gay and scared and isolated in Indiana that I would ever have. I'm so glad that Larry Kramer got to live to see this epic day he fought his whole life for. And I am so proud of our American television creators and stars like Ellen DeGeneres, Matt Bomer, Neil Patrick Harris, Max Mutchnick and Jill Solloway just to name a few -- who brought gay and transgender moments and characters into homes and in a very big way started the national conversation that had a happy ending this morning. Finally, I would like to give Judge Scalia a big hug and explain to him that more weddings = more cake for everybody."
Adam Lambert (source Billboard): "This day is a great celebration in the worldwide movement towards full civil rights for everyone, but we must remember that no one is fully free while others remain oppressed."
Lance Bass: We are so proud to be American today! All of our #LGBT brothers and sisters can now love freely! TY #SupremeCourt!
Billy Eichner: Did they say anything about 3 ways?
Raven-Symone: Just woke up to greatness! Aaahhhhhhhhh #LGBTPrideMonth #LGBTQ #lgbtrights #SupremeCourt #SupremeFridays
Andy Cohen: LOVE WINS!!!!!!! WE ARE EQUAL!!!!!!!! Ps. Somebody marry me, quick!!!!!
Ian McKellen: Congratulations, particularly to those who have made the case for equality so strongly over the years. I'm so pleased to be celebrating @nycpride over the weekend.
Andrew Lippa: "Today, America is a bit more American. Harvey Milk asked us all to come out, to be seen, to be heard. He believed once they saw us they would stop seeing us as a threat and see us as the fellow human beings we are: human beings who deserve the same rights, the same dignity, the same hope. Thank you, Harvey, and thank you to those five wise souls on the Supreme Court who followed your lead! Today, we are ALL Equal!!"
Rory O'Malley: I just woke up on west coast to THE BEST NEWS!!!! Marriage Equality is the law of the land!!!!!!!
Zachary Quinto: i am so overwhelmed with gratitude for the wisdom of our Supreme Court - and the courage of... instagram.com/p/4ZY1bfri5n/
Michael Cerveris: #LOVEWINS!!! Who knew SCOTUS watched the @TheTonyAwards ...?!
Andrew Rannells: Equality and Love wins.
Cyndi Lauper: Finally. Big step. All Americans, no matter their sexual orientation, can marry the people they love.
Susan Blackwell: YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES! #HappyEqualityYall!
Sebastian Arcelus It is so ordered. It's about time. And it's about LOVE!!
Uzo Aduba: "...life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."
Sierra Boggess: LOVE WINS LOVE WINS LOVE WINS!!!!
Alexandra Socha: Yes it is. Crying on the sidewalk, completely overwhelmed by this beautiful historical moment.... https://t.co/OAQ8wpgzGu
Caissie Levy: Misty-eyed on subway, reading the news. Guy glued to his phone, smiling. He looked up, we locked eyes & nodded knowingly #SCOTUSMarriage
Billy Porter: "It is so ordered"...an Historic day indeed! #MarriageEquality for EVERYONE!!!!! fb.me/2AZJYbYW3
Steve Kazee: On a day filled with so much hate I am happy that #LoveWon #MarriageEquaility
Lea Salonga: What an amazing morning!!! Hurray!!! #LoveWins #IDo #Equality https://t.co/Htl4WmGJOi
Lena Hall: CONGRATS TO ALL! The world just got a little better. Woo Hoo!!!!!! #lovewins #marriageequalityforall #Pride2015 pic.twitter.com/yFr6r2XokF
Eric McCormack: Marriage for all, affordable healthcare for all. Nice week, #SupremeCourt. #LoveWins #MarriageEquality
Gavin Creel: a lone tweet to say ... THANK YOU scotus, america, @BroadwayImpact, & everyone who believes in love & justice. #SecondClassNoMore
Matt Bomer: #LoveWins Today is a huge step forward for our country, and my family. I'm so grateful and happy! #SCOTUSMarriage
Judy Kuhn: Oh happy day
Tony Yazbek: Wow...What a journey for equality! I'm so happy for equal rights!!
Stephen Oremus: Finally a full citizen today. Supreme court legalizes gay marriage: Kennedy's decision ends beautifully. http://t.co/bRNMmgvJhl
Julie Halston: It's Done ! SCOTUS RULING finally #SCOTUS #LoveAlwaysWins #MarriageEquality #PRIDE
It Shoulda Been You: #LoveWins! In an incredible moment in history, #SCOTUS has now legalized gay marriage in all 50 states! #PrideMonth pic.twitter.com/k5kW2MI7I1
Justin Guarini: Congratulations on a hard fought and beautifully won victory. This is a great day for equality! #LoveWins my friends
Kyle Scatliffe: It's about damn time. #LoveWins
Seth MacFarlane: Congratulations America for finally catching up to the modern era with this landmark step forward for gay and lesbian rights.
Raul Esparza: We hold these truths to be self evident...that all men are created equal...America has expanded closer to its Dream
Jennifer Mudge: It's gonna be a #loudproud ... Wowie!!! #MarriageEquaility #SCOTUS
Ellen Degeneres: Love won. #MarriageEquality
Rosie O'Donnell: WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL ! #gaymarriage #LoveWins #SCOTUS #KaliefBrowder
Will Chase: I love you all. But especially you:-) #LoveIsLove
Richard Jay-Alexander: GOD BLESS AMERICA!!! #lovewins #somanyheroes #PRIDEHISTORY
Jared Gertner: What a profound feeling. I will remember this day forever. #Proud #LoveWins
Will Swenson: Gay pride in NYC this weekend might just permanently coat the city in beautiful, pink Happy-Joy-Love glitter. SO happy for equality today!
Harvey Fierstein: "I AM SOMEBODY" You never realize how heavy your burden's been until you lay it down in the promised land.
Elena Shaddow: ... And Love Is Always Better.
Lin Manuel Miranda: TO THE UNION! TO THE REVOLUTION! Good morning on this historic joyful day. Thinking about Broadway Impact and Gavin Creel & Audra & the Keenan-Bolgers & everyone who worked so hard for this day, for so long.
Denis O'Hare: Marriage Equality!! Enfin!! So happy to get the news all the way here in France!
Kristin Chenoweth: #lovewins
Adam Shankman: Can't type so well. Tears of joy making my phone too slippry. Thank you SCOTUS for making me an equal
Anna Kendrick: Today is beautiful
Jordan Roth: EQUAL!!!
Phillip Spaeth: That's what's up! #equality
Sara Bareilles: REJOICING AND SMILING AND CHEERING AND YELLING AND DANCING AND CELEBRATING!!!!!!!! YES!!!!!!!!!!
Jason Alexander: Love won! Dignity won! Common sense won! SCOTUS is 2 for 2. Bravo.
Benjamin Walker: FINALLY!! #LoveWins
Michael Urie: Love won. #equality #SCOTUS
Christopher Gattelli: Love is love
Andrew Keenan-Bolger: To all the kids out there who are feeling alone, remember the country's got your back! #SCOTUSMarriage
Alan Cumming: Holy shit SCOTUS!! What an amazing day and what a great step forward for America
Ricky Martin: #SCOTUS has just announced that love is equal across the nation!!! #MarriageEquality #LoveAlwaysWins #Loveislove
Andrew Kober: #LoveWins!!
Christopher Sieber: OMG!!! History!! #loveislove
Ben Vereen: Love finding light in America ... Bravo. Love is love one never knows where and whom it will embrace .
I have always said that everyone has the right to love who they love and today, with the historic decision from the Supreme Court, I am so happy it is now the law of the land.-- Liza Minnelli
Andy Mientus: EQUALITY!
Audra McDonald: VICTORY!!! ThhANK YOU JUSTICE KENNEDY!!! Love must win? LOVE HAS WON!!!!!!!
NOH8 Campaign: #SCOTUS strikes down same-sex marriage bans! Marriage equality arrives NATIONWIDE! #NOH8 #DecisionDay
Rebecca LaChance:AH!! Marriage equality EVERYWHERE in America!! What amazing news. #history #LoveWins
Jesse Tyler Ferguson: Hugely emotional that marriage equality has finally come to the U.S. History! Love ALWAYS wins
Kate Shindle: THEY DID IT. #SCOTUS: Fourteenth Amendment requires a state to license a marriage between two people of the same sex.
Jerry Mitchell: #FULLOUT ...the pursuit of happiness for ALL in America! #loveislove #youchangetheworldwhenyouchangeyourmind #LetPRIDEbeyourguide
Ann Hampton Callaway: Tears of Joy!
Hillary Clinton: Proud to celebrate a historic victory for marriage equality-& the courage & determination of LGBT Americans who made it possible. -H
Michael Arden: Freedom and justice for ALL
Matt Doyle: In awe. Happened so fast. Tears. Blown away. Completely overwhelmed.
Tom Kirdahy: Justice!!! Victory!!! #LGBT #pride #MarriageEquaility @kaplanrobbie
Emily Bergl: EQUALITY ALL THE WAY IS THE LAW OF THE LAND!!!!! #SCOTUSMarriage
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