If you’ve seen #LoveWins and rainbow-coloured images flooding your social media timelines over this weekend, there’s a sound reason for the ongoing celebrations.
Imagine being told that you are finally legally allowed to marry the person that you love.
On Friday (26th June), the US Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that it is legal for all Americans, no matter their gender or sexual orientation, to marry the people they love.
The justices found that, under the 14th Amendment, states must issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples and recognise same-sex unions that have been legally performed in other states. Justice Anthony Kennedy delivered the majority opinion and was joined by Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Elena Kagan, Stephen Breyer, and Sonia Sotomayor.
In the majority opinion, the justices outlined several reasons same-sex marriage should be allowed. They wrote that the right to marriage is an inherent aspect of individual autonomy, since “decisions about marriage are among the most intimate that an individual can make”.
The decision is a historic victory for gay rights activists who have fought for years in the lower courts.
Almost immediately, celebrity support flooded social media, with many (heterosexual and homosexual alike) taking to Twitter and Instagram to rejoice over the beautiful day, dotted with colourful and bright emoticons. Heck, even Google chimed in for the occassion! You’ll see what we mean right at the end of this post ;)
Love won. #MarriageEquality
— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) June 26, 2015
Today is beautiful ????
— Anna Kendrick (@AnnaKendrick47) June 26, 2015
????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️????????❤️???? PROUD to be American today.
— olivia wilde (@oliviawilde) June 26, 2015
Proud to celebrate a historic victory for marriage equality—& the courage & determination of LGBT Americans who made it possible. -H
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) June 26, 2015
BREAKING: It’s official! #MarriageEquality comes to America! #LoveWon pic.twitter.com/ZnrM5lmVM8 /via @outmagazine
— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) June 26, 2015
????????????????????????????
— samsmith (@samsmith) June 26, 2015
????????????????????????????
— samsmith (@samsmith) June 26, 2015
????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
— samsmith (@samsmith) June 26, 2015
Retweet to spread the word. #LoveWins pic.twitter.com/JJ5iCP4ZWn
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) June 26, 2015
Today is a big step in our march toward equality. Gay and lesbian couples now have the right to marry, just like anyone else. #LoveWins
ADVERTISEMENT
— President Obama (@POTUS44) June 26, 2015
#lovewins pic.twitter.com/xgEvPqvF63
— Kristin Chenoweth (@KChenoweth) June 26, 2015
https://twitter.com/LanceBass/status/614440465744687104
https://twitter.com/SethMacFarlane/status/614442430448930816
https://instagram.com/p/4ZW2J1xs3f/
https://instagram.com/p/4ZZbWmwumo/
And finally, Google:
Indeed it’s a beautiful day time for America. One step forward for humankind :)
Source: Huffington Post.
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Telegram for more updates and breaking news.
