Obama spoke after the country’s Supreme Court on Friday affirmed the decision to legalize same-sex marriage in the country.
In the 5-4 judgment, Justice Anthony Kennedy on behalf of the majority stated that equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment to the Constitution requires states to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
“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.”
Obama who had endorsed same-sex marriage in May 2012 congratulated them. “An entire country realized that love is love,” he said.
“What an extraordinary achievement, but what a vindication of the belief that people can do extraordinary things”.
The U.S. is now the 21st country to legalize same-sex marriage nationwide, including territories. Married same-sex couples will now enjoy the same legal rights and benefits as married heterosexual couples nationwide and will be recognized on official documents such as birth and death certificates.
Hundreds of same-sex marriage supporters flooded the plaza and sidewalk in front of the Supreme Court to celebrate the ruling, proudly waving rainbow flags and banners with the Human Rights Campaign’s equal sign, which have come to represent the gay rights movement. In an emotional moment, the supporters sang the National Anthem, clapping wildly after singing that the U.S. is “the land of the free.”
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