Following the ruling, President Obama delivered a statement from the Rose Garden. Watch Here:
Remarks by the President on the Supreme Court Decision on Marriage Equality
Rose Garden
11:14 A.M. EDT
THE
PRESIDENT: Good morning. Our nation was founded on a bedrock
principle that we are all created equal. The project of each generation
is to bridge the meaning of those founding words with the realities of
changing times -- a never-ending quest to ensure those words ring true
for every single American.
Progress on this journey often comes in small increments, sometimes two steps forward, one step back, propelled by the persistent effort of dedicated citizens. And then sometimes, there are days like this when that slow, steady effort is rewarded with justice that arrives like a thunderbolt.
This morning, the Supreme Court recognized that the Constitution guarantees marriage equality. In doing so, they’ve reaffirmed that all Americans are entitled to the equal protection of the law. That all people should be treated equally, regardless of who they are or who they love.
Progress on this journey often comes in small increments, sometimes two steps forward, one step back, propelled by the persistent effort of dedicated citizens. And then sometimes, there are days like this when that slow, steady effort is rewarded with justice that arrives like a thunderbolt.
This morning, the Supreme Court recognized that the Constitution guarantees marriage equality. In doing so, they’ve reaffirmed that all Americans are entitled to the equal protection of the law. That all people should be treated equally, regardless of who they are or who they love.
This
decision will end the patchwork system we currently have. It will end
the uncertainty hundreds of thousands of same-sex couples face from not
knowing whether their marriage, legitimate in the eyes of one state,
will remain if they decide to move [to] or even visit another. This
ruling will strengthen all of our communities by offering to all loving
same-sex couples the dignity of marriage across this great land.
In
my second inaugural address, I said that if we are truly created equal,
then surely the love we commit to one another must be equal as well.
It is gratifying to see that principle enshrined into law by this
decision.
This
ruling is a victory for Jim Obergefell and the other plaintiffs in the
case. It's a victory for gay and lesbian couples who have fought so
long for their basic civil rights. It’s a victory for their children,
whose families will now be recognized as equal to any other. It’s a
victory for the allies and friends and supporters who spent years, even
decades, working and praying for change to come.
And
this ruling is a victory for America. This decision affirms what
millions of Americans already believe in their hearts: When all
Americans are treated as equal we are all more free.
My
administration has been guided by that idea. It’s why we stopped
defending the so-called Defense of Marriage Act, and why we were pleased
when the Court finally struck down a central provision of that
discriminatory law. It’s why we ended “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” From
extending full marital benefits to federal employees and their spouses,
to expanding hospital visitation rights for LGBT patients and their
loved ones, we’ve made real progress in advancing equality for LGBT
Americans in ways that were unimaginable not too long ago.
I
know change for many of our LGBT brothers and sisters must have seemed
so slow for so long. But compared to so many other issues, America’s
shift has been so quick. I know that Americans of goodwill continue to
hold a wide range of views on this issue. Opposition in some cases has
been based on sincere and deeply held beliefs. All of us who welcome
today’s news should be mindful of that fact; recognize different
viewpoints; revere our deep commitment to religious freedom.
But
today should also give us hope that on the many issues with which we
grapple, often painfully, real change is possible. Shifts in hearts and
minds is possible. And those who have come so far on their journey to
equality have a responsibility to reach back and help others join them.
Because for all our differences, we are one people, stronger together
than we could ever be alone. That’s always been our story.
We
are big and vast and diverse; a nation of people with different
backgrounds and beliefs, different experiences and stories, but bound by
our shared ideal that no matter who you are or what you look like, how
you started off, or how and who you love, America is a place where you
can write your own destiny.
We are a people who believe that every single child is entitled to life and liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
We are a people who believe that every single child is entitled to life and liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
There’s
so much more work to be done to extend the full promise of America to
every American. But today, we can say in no uncertain terms that we’ve
made our union a little more perfect.
That’s
the consequence of a decision from the Supreme Court, but, more
importantly, it is a consequence of the countless small acts of courage
of millions of people across decades who stood up, who came out, who
talked to parents -- parents who loved their children no matter what.
Folks who were willing to endure bullying and taunts, and stayed strong,
and came to believe in themselves and who they were, and slowly made an
entire country realize that love is love.
What
an extraordinary achievement. What a vindication of the belief that
ordinary people can do extraordinary things. What a reminder of what
Bobby Kennedy once said about how small actions can be like pebbles
being thrown into a still lake, and ripples of hope cascade outwards and
change the world.
Those countless, often anonymous heroes -- they deserve our thanks. They should be very proud. America should be very proud.
Thank you. (Applause.)
END
11:22 A.M. EDT
11:22 A.M. EDT
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