Tom Daley: Marriage equality across all 50 states is a ‘massive step forward’
PinkNews Exclusive
Olympic diver Tom Daley has hailed a ruling from the US Supreme Court finding that same-sex marriage is a constitutional right.
The US Supreme Court has today 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 the 5-4 decision after hearing ‘mega-case’ Obergefell v. Hodges.
Tom Daley told PinkNews: “I think if all 50 states of America can get marriage equality, I think that’s a massive step. I think the rest of the world will look at that, and try and make that the same for all their countries too.
On Northern Ireland, which is yet to introduce same-sex marriage, he said: “I think very soon it will be marriage equality everywhere, or it should be anyway.
“If you fast forward ten years, I think in the UK for sure, we will have full equality.”
The Olympic diver made the comments as he signed on as a patron for Switchboard, the LGBT+ helpline – formerly known as the London Lesbian & Gay Switchboard.
The full interview will be published soon.
Within minutes of the ruling, President Obama had said: “Today is a big step in our march toward equality. Gay and lesbian couples now have the right to marry, just like anyone else.”
Here is what the five justices who voted in favour of equality had to say about the nature of marriage:
The nature of marriage is that, through its enduring bond, two persons together can find other freedoms, such as expression, intimacy, and spirituality. This is true for all persons, whatever their sexual orientation.
There is dignity in the bond between two men or two women who seek to marry and in their autonomy to make such profound choices.
