Posted: 9:27 am PDT
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SCOTUS ruled today in a 5-4 decision that the Constitution guarantees a right to same-sex marriage. Justice Kennedy said gay and lesbian couples had a fundamental right to marry. Excerpt from the majority opinion written by Justice Kennedy (via NYT):
“No union is more profound than marriage, for it embodies the highest ideals of love, fidelity, devotion, sacrifice, and family,” he wrote. “In forming a marital union, two people become something greater than once they were.”
“It would misunderstand these men and women to say they disrespect the idea of marriage,” Justice Kennedy said of the couples challenging state bans on same-sex marriage. “Their plea is that they do respect it, respect it so deeply that they seek to find its fulfillment for themselves. Their hope is not to be condemned to live in loneliness, excluded from one of civilization’s oldest institutions. They ask for equal dignity in the eyes of the law. The Constitution grants them that right.”
The case is Obergefell v. Hodges. Read the SCOTUS opinion here (pdf). Sending hugs to our friends in the LGBT community this beautiful and historic summer day!
Below is a round-up of U.S. embassies marking LGBT Pride Month this year:
Nicosia, Cyprus
Triple-A support for LGBTI rights in #Cyprus — America, Australia, Austria! @AcceptCY @AusHCCyprus @USEmbassyCyprus pic.twitter.com/ZHTz0mBT0z
— John M. Koenig (@AmbJohnKoenig) June 6, 2015
Wellington, New Zealand
Proclamation by @POTUS on #LGBTPrideMonth: http://t.co/u6AL1QqtPZ @RandyBerry @ambmarkgilbert #DiplomaticPost #LGBTI pic.twitter.com/3WqN6504Gs
— US Embassy NZ (@usembassynz) June 2, 2015
Manila , Philippines
#Manila: To start #LGBT #Pride month, U.S. Embassy community shows support for equal rights. http://t.co/h3w7igbbcV pic.twitter.com/vCEhyt00Gu
— YSEALI (@yseali) June 6, 2015
Ankara, Turkey
Başkan Obama’nın Bildirgesi – 2015 LGBT Onur Ayı | http://t.co/w2nk9lgr1H #LGBTPrideMonth #LGBTOnurAyı #LGBT #OnurAyı pic.twitter.com/EcDHfSovcW
— ABDTürk (@ABDTurk) June 2, 2015
Tel Aviv, Israel
.@usembassyta is ready to help Tel Aviv celebrate #Pride2015! pic.twitter.com/lw4PZIA7rp
— Dan Shapiro (@AmbShapiro) June 8, 2015
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Team @usembassyta showing our support for Israel’s #LGBT community at #TelAvivPride! pic.twitter.com/mahTKgXkAt
— Dan Shapiro (@AmbShapiro) June 12, 2015
Buenos Aires, Argentina
June is #LGBT Pride Month in the U.S., we have lit up Palacio Bosch with rainbow colors pic.twitter.com/2wrQ19ebX0
— Noah Mamet (@NoahMamet) June 3, 2015
Luxembourg
President Obama Proclamation on LGBT Pride Month 2015 http://t.co/7Z3CMvrXWY US Embassy Luxembourg flying the flag. pic.twitter.com/jAaNpqLklm
— USEmbLuxembourg (@USEmbLuxembourg) June 9, 2015
Tokyo, Japan
Visit US Embassy booth @Tokyo Rainbow Pride #TRP2015 4/26. Learn abt #LGBT, star in your own #ItGetsBetter video pic.twitter.com/xdogdKSZkc
— 在日米国大使館 (@usembassytokyo) April 25, 2015
London, United Kingdom
Thank you @elliegoulding for making our pride celebration extra special. #LGBTPrideMonth #LGBT pic.twitter.com/pBre6T82js
— U.S. Embassy London (@USAinUK) June 25, 2015
Meanwhile, in Amman, Jordan
US ambassador’s visit to LGBT event sparks outrage in #Jordan – @AaronMagid http://t.co/sMc6ofz0wQ pic.twitter.com/VYarhyVDn6
— Al-Monitor (@AlMonitor) June 16, 2015
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