Hillary Clinton: I’m proud of today’s historic victory for gay Americans
Hillary Clinton has reflected on the just-issued opinion by the US Supreme Court on same-sex marriage, saying she is “proud” of the “historic victory” for the country.
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, afterhearing ‘mega-case’ Obergefell v. Hodges.
Within minutes of the opinion being read out, the Democratic Presidential hopeful wrote on Twitter that she was celebrating the ruling.
She said: “Proud to celebrate a historic victory for marriage equality—& the courage & determination of LGBT Americans who made it possible.”
In a second post, in her trademark font, Clinton simply wrote “Proud”.
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.
