U.S. Supreme Court rules in favor of same sex marriage

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 5-4 on Friday upholding the rights for all people to marry, regardless of gender or sexual orientation.
This voids laws in 13 states that prohibit gay marriage.
The justices ruled that the right to marriage is protected under the 14th amendment, and that all states must issue marriage licenses to same sex couples, and must recognize such unions when they are performed in other states.
Justice Anthony Kennedy delivered the majority opinion with Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Elena Kagan, Stephen G. Breyer, and Sonia Sotomayor in the majority.
U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) applauded what he called a historic Supreme Court’s decision in Obergefell v. Hodges which ruled that same sex marriage bans are unconstitutional.
“This is a tremendous day for the LGBT community, their families, and their friends who have stood beside them,” said Menendez. “The Supreme Court has ended one of the blatant forms of discrimination that keep loving families apart based solely on who they love and where they live. This decision brings us closer to our nation’s promise of equal rights for all, and this victory belongs to those who can now marry who they love across America.”
But Menendez said this does not mean the fight is over.
“Already we are seeing efforts to categorically deny LGBT individuals protections against unjust firings, unlawful evictions, or even refused service in restaurants,” he said.
Menendez is a cosigner of the Congressional brief urging the Supreme Court to strike down same-sex marriage bans as violating the equal protection guarantee. He previously cosigned the Congressional brief in U.S. v. Windsor urging the Supreme Court to strike down the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act. In addition, Senator Menendez has been a consistent supporter of the Respect for Marriage Act, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, the Student Non-Discrimination Act, and the Every Child Deserves a Family Act.
Rep. Donald Payne (D-10th Dist) also applauded the decision.
“I am thrilled that the Supreme Court made the correct decision in affirming the right of same-sex couples to marry,” he said. “Every person should receive equal treatment and protection no matter whom they love, and the Court’s decision is a critical step toward fulfilling our promise of fairness and equality. Today is a tremendous triumph for American families who have fought long and hard for basic civil rights and true equality.”