(Updated) #MarriageEquality: The Reaction

Reactions to the Supreme Court decision in Philly, on social media, and beyond.


[Updated with reaction and slideshow from a rally at the National Constitution Center, below.]

Today, the U.S. Supreme Court declared that marriage is a fundamental right, and that states cannot prohibit gay and lesbian folks from marrying. The reaction has been overwhelming on social media, both in Philadelphia and around the country.

Visit Philadelphia was ready with an ad campaign:

And people from all walks of life celebrated:

We WON! #LoveWins #MarriageEqualityNow

Posted by Brian Sims on Friday, June 26, 2015

The Supreme Court has required the legal recognition of marriage equality nationwide!

Posted by Jim Kenney on Friday, June 26, 2015

“No union is more profound than marriage, for it embodies the highest ideals of love, fidelity, devotion, sacrifice, and…

Posted by Paul Steinke on Friday, June 26, 2015

The Supreme Court announced today that there is a constitutional right to same-sex marriage. It is now the law of the land! #LoveWins

Posted by Micah Mahjoubian on Friday, June 26, 2015

https://twitter.com/jenniferkates/status/614437395606437888

The Museum is flying rainbow banners in celebration of the Supreme Court’s decision on same sex marriage. ‘Like’ if you support #MarriageEquality for everyone!

Posted by Philadelphia Museum of Art on Friday, June 26, 2015


At the National Constitution Center, a modest, but excited, crowd gathered to celebrate the news. Three large-screen televisions were installed in the Center’s lobby which showed various news reports and a Twitter feed, tracking a variety of hashtags, including #LoveWins, #DecisionDay, #SCOTUS, and more.

“I’m what you’d call an ally,” said one woman, a worker at the Center. “I’ve waited 30 years for this. I used to run a GSA club back in the day.” She eagerly took out her cell phone to show pictures of a gay wedding that she attended several weeks ago. “Now it’s official everywhere!”

Deanna Day and Peter Collopy work nearby and were monitoring the Supreme Court’s online live blog. When the decision came down, they walked over to the Center to celebrate.

“We are so excited,” said Day.

Meanwhile, Naomi Socher-Lerner and her wife posed with their child, Selah, in front of one of the television screens. The infant, dressed in a “Philly Gay Pride” t-shirt, clearly didn’t understand what was going on around her, but was happily passed between her moms.

Former Governor Ed Rendell was on hand briefly to make comments about the ruling.

“It was the right decision of the Supreme Court,” he said. He recalled a personal story about a female acquaintance who got into a horrible car crash and her partner couldn’t see her in the hospital.

“It was just ridiculous,” he said, and quickly added, “Society has changed.”