It's hard to express the intensity of this moment, that our love now is equal," Westover told AFP. "It feels like my birthday, the prom, our wedding day. That means an incredible amount to me."Īlso in the vast crowd outside court as the life-changing news filtered through were Robert Westover, 51, and Tom Fulton, 57, who hugged and kissed. Obergefell, who was live on television at the time, replied humbly: "Thank you, sir. "And it's pretty rare where that happens, so I couldn't be prouder of you and your husband. He took a brief phone call from Obama, who told him: "Not only have you been a great example for people but you're also going to bring about a lasting change in this country. Prominent in the crowd was Jim Obergefell, the lead plaintiff in the case, clutching a photo of his deceased husband John Arthur. The Supreme Court ruling made the United States the 21st country or territory in the world that recognizes same-sex marriage as legal.įlag-waving LGBT advocates on the packed Supreme Court forecourt - some in tears - cheered, danced, shouted "USA! USA!" and sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" in celebration. ‘We have work to make sure that every single child, no matter who they are or where they come from or what they look like or how they live, feels welcomed and valued and loved."This decision affirms what millions of Americans already believe in their hearts - when all Americans are treated as equal, we are all more free." We’ve got work to do when LGBT people around the world still face incredible isolation and poverty and persecution and violence, and even death.
We still have work to do when transgender persons are attacked, even killed for just being who they are. ‘We have to work hard to make sure that jobs are not being denied, people aren’t being fired because of their sexual orientation. ‘We still have more work to do when gay and bisexual men make up two-thirds of new HIV cases in our country,’ he said. He stressed there is still more to be done. ‘It was a reminder that when the change we seek comes, and when we move a little bit further on our journey toward equality and justice, we still have a responsibility to reach back and help pull up others who are striving to do the same.’ĭuring his remarks, Obama reflected on the marriage breakthrough and other progress such as a federal hate crime law and the end of the ban on gays and lesbians in the military. It was a beacon for people around the world who are still fighting for those rights,’ Obama said.
‘It was a powerful symbol here at home, where more Americans finally felt accepted and whole, and that their country recognized the love that they felt. The memorable gesture came on the day that a US Supreme Court ruling made same-sex marriage legal in all 50 states. ‘One of the most special moments of my presidency was that warm summer night last June when we lit up the White House out there,’ Obama said at the eighh and final LGBT Pride Reception of his presidency on Thursday (9 June). President Barack Obama reflected this week on the day nearly a year ago when The White House was illuminated in rainbow colors in celebration of marriage equality.