Frederic Noyes: Hooray! It's about time we settled this and moved on to other social and environmental justice issues.
Jennifer Carroll Cahill: Let's call it “marriage” now, and leave off the “gay.” We are all one. Yippee!
Fran Lynggaard Hansen: I live in China where I've seen people rejected and discriminated against based on their sexual orientation. In August I am moving to Cairo, where one can be stoned to death or hung if one is gay. My hope is that the world will watch the USA and realize how much of a non-issue gayness should be. What's the big deal about love?
Monica MacNeille: I really wasn't sure which way it would go. I am so, so, so happy. It gives me hope for the future. It may feel as though our country is moving backwards, and sometimes it is, but this is one huge step forward. I am so happy for all the not-hetero couples and families who can finally have equal protection under the law. Love is love! And it's great! Let's all get married!
Laura Austan: It's about damned time. I'm so happy to see it done, and I can't help but think of all my friends who didn't live to see it happen.
Barbara K. Henderson: A great day indeed. Love is love. I agree that we have a long way to go. Making something legal doesn't change narrow, biased thinking. Just look at how civil rights are still violated daily, especially if you are not white skinned.
Zoa Given: It's about time! I think it's called respect!
Tracy Murphy: I don't know that I even have the language to express exactly how I feel. The decision is simply beautiful and encouraging. Love wins, always.
Frank Fairbanks: My thoughts: to each his or her own. If this is what works and makes you happy, so be it.
Kathy Blackadar: Proud of the ruling, proud of America!
Kathy Looney: It is great news; it's been a long time coming. We still have a long way to go before we have a true socially cohesive nation, and this is a step in the right direction.
Mary Barber: President Obama said it all: “When all Americans are treated as equal, no matter who they are or whom they love, we are all more free.”
Rebecca Balint: As a 17-year-old back in the mid '80s, I knew two things for sure: I wanted to run for office, and I was a lesbian. I never could have imagined that I would be sitting in a joint House and Senate Judicial Rules committee meeting, as a state senator, and hear the chair announce the news about the SCOTUS ruling. It has been a tremendous morning for me personally.
HB Lozito: The decision was built on a community longing for recognition, safety, and freedom (among other things). It has taken thousands of LGBTQ and allied folks many years to build to this political moment. I honor the work, feelings, and tears (of joy and sadness, at times my own!) that have contributed to this momentous SCOTUS decision!
And yet, we know that many queer and trans people in our communities, especially trans women and people of color, continue to experience discrimination, job loss, denial of adequate health care, housing loss, unjust and unsafe detention and imprisonment, and direct violence in many forms, including harassment, sexual assault, domestic violence, and murder.
It is critical that we continue the struggle toward collective liberation for all people. Celebrate, yes. And also continue our swift march toward justice.
Morgan Broadfoot: Part of me is encouraged. Maybe love does conquer all. Another part of me wonders why it took so long.
Rick Hege: We evolve, though we have a long way to go for actual equality for so many. This is just a step - a big one, yes, but one step.
Thomas Nelson: I think it is about time, and a mark of progress, that the SCOTUS has finally put the question to vote. I am disturbed that Justices Alito, Scalia, Thomas, and Roberts found ways to justify a dissenting vote. I suppose I am not qualified to determine the meaning of the 14th amendment, but the terms “equal” and “liberty” are clear to me. The twisting of meaning that the dissenting justices have employed is, as I said - disturbing.
Joyce Marcel: I have tears in my eyes.
Dianne Howard: It doesn't really matter to me unless you are cruel to animals or humans and you ignore those in need. I don't care what color you are and who you bed with - be happy and strive to reciprocate your happiness and blessings. It's easier than we think it is.
Kate Anderson: Justice Kennedy has delivered such an extraordinary statement. All is said there.
Jeff Potter: [Editor's note: This comment is from regional musician Jeff Potter, who shares the same name as your editor.] Years ago I had reservations only because I thought marriage was mostly an organized religious rite and it could be against any particular religion's laws. Now knowing that it has a wider definition, I'm totally for gay marriage. Growing up, if you have stereotypical traits, it has to be really tough in many areas. Today's ruling really touched my heart.
Ann Dowell: Love: wherever two or more are gathered in His name, there is love. I'm sure I'll have Christians blasting me for voicing my opinion, but the Bible has been misquoted and man has miscreated for so long. What the world needs now, is love sweet love, what difference does it makes where it stems from? Enough of this religious judgement. If these same haters taught/preached of a loving God instead of vengeful wrathful God, maybe more people would be willing to return to the church. That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.
Haley Elisha: One of the other parents in my life noted, with some concern, that his kids didn't get what he was so worked up and excited about. Then it occurred to us that this was simply because their reaction, had they sat still for an explanation, would have been “Well, duh.”
Imelda Reilly: I might actually get married.
Barry D'Esopo: When two people love each other, whatever way they want to express it is fine with me - and, frankly, is none of my business.
Shanta Lee: I am hoping this means that we will all learn to keep our judgement away from who and how people love.
Beverly Greer Langeveld: Hoping this is just one step closer to getting us to see people as individuals and not some subset defined by their gender, sexuality, religion, or skin color.
Dot Lenhart: It is a great day for humans in the United States.
Doug Frank: Finally.
Lynn Bedell: I think it's fantastic - and long overdue. Now I wish we could bifurcate marriage and religion. Civil Unions for everyone to take care of the legal aspect, religious ceremonies for those who choose, where they choose.
Wendy M. Levy: I would like to see more attention paid to legitimizing non-traditional relationships, and no relationships at all. I'd like to see the dismantling of an enforced gender binary. Marriage equality doesn't mean our work here is finished in the LGBTQ community.
That said, if adult men and women can get married and have that relationship sanctioned by the state and the culture, then adults of other gender combinations should have that right as well.