President Obama calls lead gay marriage plaintiff: ‘We are really proud of you’
President Barack Obama has called lead plaintiff in the SCOTUS same-sex marriage case Jim Obergefell to congratulate him on today’s landmark ruling.
The US Supreme Court has ruled that same-sex marriage is a constitutional right – paving the way for weddings in all 50 states.
The highest court in the US made a surprise early decision today on same-sex marriage, after hearing ‘mega-case’ Obergefell v. Hodges.
Calling from the White House, after making an emotional and tear-jerking speech, President Obama told Jim Obergefell: “Your leadership on this, has changed the country.
He went on to say: “We’re really proud of you. Not only have you been a great example for people but you’re also going to bring about a lasting change in this country. And it’s pretty rare when that happens.”
A ruling had not been expected until Monday from the nine Supreme Court justices, who are attempting to resolve a ‘split’ in lower courts on the issue – and as such could decide on the issue once and for all for the entire country.
The victory of equality came by a vote of 5-4, as the justices ruled both that same-sex marriage is a constitutional right, and that states are required to recognise marriages from elsewhere.
Justice Anthony Kennedy authored the majority opinion, and was joined by Justices Ginsburg, Breyer, Sotomayor, and Kagan in finding in favour of equality – while the court’s Chief Justice John Roberts, Justices Scalia, Alito and Thomas authoring a dissenting ruling.
