U.S. Supreme Court: Gay and lesbian couples have a fundamental right to marry
For the LGBT community, and also for the travel and tourism industry in the United States of America, today is a day of
recognition, victory and a proud day many Americans. In a long-sought victory for the gay rights movement, the US
Supreme Court ruled on Friday that the Constitution guarantees a right to same-sex marriage.
Justice Anthony M. Kennedy wrote the majority opinion in the 5 to 4 decision. He was joined by the court’s four more
liberal justices.
The decision, the culmination of decades of litigation and activism, came against the backdrop of fast-moving changes in
public opinion, with polls indicating that most Americans now approve of same-sex marriage.
Gay and lesbian couples had a fundamental right to marry.
THe court said: "If you are among the many Americans — of whatever sexual orientation — who favor expanding same-sex
marriage, by all means celebrate today’s decision,” Chief Justice Roberts wrote. “Celebrate the achievement of a desired
goal. Celebrate the opportunity for a new expression of commitment to a partner. Celebrate the availability of new
benefits. But do not celebrate the Constitution. It had nothing to do with it.”
ENDS