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| Supreme court legalises gay marriage across the US – as it happened | Supreme court legalises gay marriage across the US – as it happened |
| (14 days later) | |
| 9.12pm BST | 9.12pm BST |
| 21:12 | 21:12 |
| We’re going to wrap our live coverage of the historic supreme court decision and the many consequences and reactions thereof – as legal same-sex marriages continue to be issued for the first time in many states around the country. | We’re going to wrap our live coverage of the historic supreme court decision and the many consequences and reactions thereof – as legal same-sex marriages continue to be issued for the first time in many states around the country. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 9.13pm BST | at 9.13pm BST |
| 9.09pm BST | 9.09pm BST |
| 21:09 | 21:09 |
| Another dispatch from George Chidi in a suburb of Atlanta, Georgia, where mayor Kathie DeNobriga married her partner outside the state. | Another dispatch from George Chidi in a suburb of Atlanta, Georgia, where mayor Kathie DeNobriga married her partner outside the state. |
| “I’m delighted. I think this is a victory of love in opposition to fear and a victory for the separation of church and state.” | “I’m delighted. I think this is a victory of love in opposition to fear and a victory for the separation of church and state.” |
| DeNobriga married her long-term partner last year, out-of-state, she said. “I felt like a second-class citizen. No one should have to do that. It was like I was sneaking away to get married. Now we all have ... not the privilege, but a right to get married where we are.” | DeNobriga married her long-term partner last year, out-of-state, she said. “I felt like a second-class citizen. No one should have to do that. It was like I was sneaking away to get married. Now we all have ... not the privilege, but a right to get married where we are.” |
| Georgia law has had few accommodations for same-sex marriage to date. Municipalities have tried to fill the gap for LGBT residents with local measures like same sex spousal benefits for city employees and same-sex wedding registries. Pine Lake had taken similar steps, she said. | Georgia law has had few accommodations for same-sex marriage to date. Municipalities have tried to fill the gap for LGBT residents with local measures like same sex spousal benefits for city employees and same-sex wedding registries. Pine Lake had taken similar steps, she said. |
| “As someone who has dedicated much of my rabbinate to the political and spiritual side of same sex marriage, I have a sense of wholeness, that finally the depth of the spiritual commitment is matched by the depth of the legal protections and responsibility,” said Joshua Lesser, rabbi for Congregation Bet Havarim in Atlanta, which was formed by gay and lesbian Jews in 1985. Lesser has been an outspoken advocate for LGBT issues both nationally and in Georgia. | “As someone who has dedicated much of my rabbinate to the political and spiritual side of same sex marriage, I have a sense of wholeness, that finally the depth of the spiritual commitment is matched by the depth of the legal protections and responsibility,” said Joshua Lesser, rabbi for Congregation Bet Havarim in Atlanta, which was formed by gay and lesbian Jews in 1985. Lesser has been an outspoken advocate for LGBT issues both nationally and in Georgia. |
| For Lesser, the decision is not an end in and of itself. “It is no longer an option to ignore our interdependence with other people,” he said. “Still in Georgia, as in other places, one can be fired for being gay. There are some basic protections that this lays a foundation for in strengthening a legal understanding of equality. … The work is not over.” | For Lesser, the decision is not an end in and of itself. “It is no longer an option to ignore our interdependence with other people,” he said. “Still in Georgia, as in other places, one can be fired for being gay. There are some basic protections that this lays a foundation for in strengthening a legal understanding of equality. … The work is not over.” |
| 9.03pm BST | 9.03pm BST |
| 21:03 | 21:03 |
| In Georgia, celebrations are well underway as marriage licenses are issued for the first time, George Chidi reports for the Guardian. | In Georgia, celebrations are well underway as marriage licenses are issued for the first time, George Chidi reports for the Guardian. |
| Bob Jameson, better known to Atlantans as Baton Bob, is a fixture of city street life here. The costumed street performer parades downtown and midtown as a tutu-and-tiara-wearing majorette, drawing attention in much the same way the Naked Cowboy entertains visitors to Times Square. He’s been known to perform in a wedding dress. This time, he’ll really need it. | Bob Jameson, better known to Atlantans as Baton Bob, is a fixture of city street life here. The costumed street performer parades downtown and midtown as a tutu-and-tiara-wearing majorette, drawing attention in much the same way the Naked Cowboy entertains visitors to Times Square. He’s been known to perform in a wedding dress. This time, he’ll really need it. |
| Earlier this month, Bob posted an event on Facebook, “The Conscience Coupling Coronation and Costume Ball” for tonight at 9 p.m. The couple plans a private ceremony for family and close friends at Piedmont Park. He had no way, of course, to know that the Supreme Court decision would land today. But one might suppose timing is everything when you’re twirling a baton. | Earlier this month, Bob posted an event on Facebook, “The Conscience Coupling Coronation and Costume Ball” for tonight at 9 p.m. The couple plans a private ceremony for family and close friends at Piedmont Park. He had no way, of course, to know that the Supreme Court decision would land today. But one might suppose timing is everything when you’re twirling a baton. |
| The event is a benefit for the American Diabetes Association and Project Open Hand, which home-delivers meals and nutrition education to people with chronic illnesses. Bob is encouraging people to “come dressed as Prince or Princess of your Monarch!” | The event is a benefit for the American Diabetes Association and Project Open Hand, which home-delivers meals and nutrition education to people with chronic illnesses. Bob is encouraging people to “come dressed as Prince or Princess of your Monarch!” |
| He goes on to report on the diverging comments from Georgia’s representatives. | He goes on to report on the diverging comments from Georgia’s representatives. |
| Congressman John Lewis declares it “a great day in America. The Supreme Court made the right decision today, a decision that is long-overdue. I have said this for a long time, and I am so glad to see that our nation has finally come to this understanding: If two men or two women want to fall in love and get married, it is their business. | Congressman John Lewis declares it “a great day in America. The Supreme Court made the right decision today, a decision that is long-overdue. I have said this for a long time, and I am so glad to see that our nation has finally come to this understanding: If two men or two women want to fall in love and get married, it is their business. |
| His colleague from the sixth district, Tom Price, disagree, saying it’s a sign of “a systematic springboard to enact agendas outside the democratic and legislative structures of government. … This is not only a sad day for marriage, but a further judicial destruction of our entire system of checks and balances. | His colleague from the sixth district, Tom Price, disagree, saying it’s a sign of “a systematic springboard to enact agendas outside the democratic and legislative structures of government. … This is not only a sad day for marriage, but a further judicial destruction of our entire system of checks and balances. |
| Congressman Doug Collins of the ninth district also says he’s “disappointed that the court has overstepped its boundaries once again.” | Congressman Doug Collins of the ninth district also says he’s “disappointed that the court has overstepped its boundaries once again.” |
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| The North Carolina elementary school teacher who resigned over his after his decision to read his class King & King, a fairy tale about a prince who falls in love with another prince, tells my colleague Lauren Gambino (@lgamgam) that he’s “ecstatic” about today’s decision. | The North Carolina elementary school teacher who resigned over his after his decision to read his class King & King, a fairy tale about a prince who falls in love with another prince, tells my colleague Lauren Gambino (@lgamgam) that he’s “ecstatic” about today’s decision. |
| Friday’s supreme court decision, Omar Currie said, is not only a vindication of same sex marriage, but of his decision to teach inclusion and tolerance in the classroom. | Friday’s supreme court decision, Omar Currie said, is not only a vindication of same sex marriage, but of his decision to teach inclusion and tolerance in the classroom. |
| “The whole argument from the school district was that this is a controversial issue,” Currie said. “The district said it’s a difficult issue for us to deal with, and that’s why our response has been so poor. Now the supreme court says we as teachers have to act in this situation because the court deemed it non-controversial by legalizing marriage everywhere.” | “The whole argument from the school district was that this is a controversial issue,” Currie said. “The district said it’s a difficult issue for us to deal with, and that’s why our response has been so poor. Now the supreme court says we as teachers have to act in this situation because the court deemed it non-controversial by legalizing marriage everywhere.” |
| Currie, 25, said he read the book to teach his class a lesson in tolerance, after one student reported being bullied and called “gay” as an insult. Parents of some students were outraged, and lashed out at Currie during a committee meeting, making some attacks personal because of his relationship with a male partner. | Currie, 25, said he read the book to teach his class a lesson in tolerance, after one student reported being bullied and called “gay” as an insult. Parents of some students were outraged, and lashed out at Currie during a committee meeting, making some attacks personal because of his relationship with a male partner. |
| Currie learned about the decision on Friday morning while he was preparing to make a presentation at a teaching conference on promoting acceptance and inclusion in the classroom. | Currie learned about the decision on Friday morning while he was preparing to make a presentation at a teaching conference on promoting acceptance and inclusion in the classroom. |
| “It was a great lead in for my presentation,” Currie said. | “It was a great lead in for my presentation,” Currie said. |
| Currie called this decision a “tipping point” but said there are still victories that need to be won for the LGBT community to reach equal status. “There’s a lot of work that has to take place before our schools are these inclusive environments where we don’t see the issues and the backlash that came from my situation really perpetuate itself.” | Currie called this decision a “tipping point” but said there are still victories that need to be won for the LGBT community to reach equal status. “There’s a lot of work that has to take place before our schools are these inclusive environments where we don’t see the issues and the backlash that came from my situation really perpetuate itself.” |
| But this is a day for celebration and reflection, Currie told the Guardian as he made his way back to the hotel to meet his boyfriend, whom he hadn’t seen since the ruling was announced. | But this is a day for celebration and reflection, Currie told the Guardian as he made his way back to the hotel to meet his boyfriend, whom he hadn’t seen since the ruling was announced. |
| “I truly am ecstatic about the supreme court ruling,” Currie said. He giggled and added: “I hope my partner has the same level excitement.” | “I truly am ecstatic about the supreme court ruling,” Currie said. He giggled and added: “I hope my partner has the same level excitement.” |
| 8.31pm BST | 8.31pm BST |
| 20:31 | 20:31 |
| More Republican presidential candidates (and at least one likely candidate) have weighed in on today’s ruling. | More Republican presidential candidates (and at least one likely candidate) have weighed in on today’s ruling. |
| Florida senator Marco Rubio says: “While I disagree with this decision, we live in a republic and must abide by the law. As we look ahead, it must be a priority of the next president to nominate judges and justices committed to applying the constitution as written and originally understood.” | Florida senator Marco Rubio says: “While I disagree with this decision, we live in a republic and must abide by the law. As we look ahead, it must be a priority of the next president to nominate judges and justices committed to applying the constitution as written and originally understood.” |
| Rubio mentions a tilt toward protecting “the first amendment rights of religious institutions and millions of Americans”, which could be a nod toward laws like North Carolina’s measure allowing officials to opt out of officiating marriages over “religious objections”. | Rubio mentions a tilt toward protecting “the first amendment rights of religious institutions and millions of Americans”, which could be a nod toward laws like North Carolina’s measure allowing officials to opt out of officiating marriages over “religious objections”. |
| “I firmly believe the question of same-sex marriage is a question of the definition of an institution, not the dignity of a human being,” Rubio says. | “I firmly believe the question of same-sex marriage is a question of the definition of an institution, not the dignity of a human being,” Rubio says. |
| Wisconsin governor Scott Walker has called the decision “a grave mistake”. | Wisconsin governor Scott Walker has called the decision “a grave mistake”. |
| “Five unelected judges have taken it upon themselves to redefine the institution of marriage,” Walker says in a statement. “I, like millions of Americans, voted to amend our state constitution to protect the institution of marriage from exactly this type of judicial activism. | “Five unelected judges have taken it upon themselves to redefine the institution of marriage,” Walker says in a statement. “I, like millions of Americans, voted to amend our state constitution to protect the institution of marriage from exactly this type of judicial activism. |
| “We will need a conservative president who will appoint men and women to the Court who will faithfully interpret the Constitution and laws of our land without injecting their own political agendas.” | “We will need a conservative president who will appoint men and women to the Court who will faithfully interpret the Constitution and laws of our land without injecting their own political agendas.” |
| He too expresses concern about “the rights of conscience” of Americans who may object to same-sex marriage for religious reasons. | He too expresses concern about “the rights of conscience” of Americans who may object to same-sex marriage for religious reasons. |
| 8.21pm BST | 8.21pm BST |
| 20:21 | 20:21 |
| South Dakota issues marriage licenses | South Dakota issues marriage licenses |
| Complete with a new form that omits the terminology of “husband” and “wife” or “bride” and “groom”. | Complete with a new form that omits the terminology of “husband” and “wife” or “bride” and “groom”. |
| The new marriage licenses for South Dakota. "Bride" and "groom" replaced with "Spouse A" and "Spouse B." pic.twitter.com/y2YfOejzvd | The new marriage licenses for South Dakota. "Bride" and "groom" replaced with "Spouse A" and "Spouse B." pic.twitter.com/y2YfOejzvd |
| 8.08pm BST | 8.08pm BST |
| 20:08 | 20:08 |
| My colleague Nicky Woolf (@nickywoolf) is among hundreds of people celebrating and tippling at the historic Stonewall Inn in New York’s West Village. | My colleague Nicky Woolf (@nickywoolf) is among hundreds of people celebrating and tippling at the historic Stonewall Inn in New York’s West Village. |
| Stacy Lentz is one of Stonewall’s owners. “People are going to party in the streets,” she told the Guardian. “It’s an incredible day for us and for LGBT people around the word. America finally has marriage equality!” | Stacy Lentz is one of Stonewall’s owners. “People are going to party in the streets,” she told the Guardian. “It’s an incredible day for us and for LGBT people around the word. America finally has marriage equality!” |
| Lentz said she cried “tears of joy” when she heard the news. | Lentz said she cried “tears of joy” when she heard the news. |
| “It lifts a stigma when the federal government recognises you as a full citizen,” she said. “I was elated.” | “It lifts a stigma when the federal government recognises you as a full citizen,” she said. “I was elated.” |
| Karen Schmiege had come to New York for Pride from Albuquerque, New Mexico. Two years ago she and her partner Patricia – who had been together for a quarter of a century – were the first couple to be married under the state’s new marriage equality laws. She never thought this day would come. | Karen Schmiege had come to New York for Pride from Albuquerque, New Mexico. Two years ago she and her partner Patricia – who had been together for a quarter of a century – were the first couple to be married under the state’s new marriage equality laws. She never thought this day would come. |
| “It’s the gift of freedom,” she told the Guardian, grinning from ear to ear. “It was all worth fighting for.” | “It’s the gift of freedom,” she told the Guardian, grinning from ear to ear. “It was all worth fighting for.” |
| Related: 'It was all worth fighting for': Stonewall revels in US gay marriage victory | Related: 'It was all worth fighting for': Stonewall revels in US gay marriage victory |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 8.10pm BST | at 8.10pm BST |
| 7.56pm BST | 7.56pm BST |
| 19:56 | 19:56 |
| “Today is the day that everything starts,” DayLynn Contreras, a Texas woman engaged for two years to her partner Angelica Perez, has told my colleague Lauren Gambino (@lgamgam), who reports on the young couple’s reaction to the day’s news. | “Today is the day that everything starts,” DayLynn Contreras, a Texas woman engaged for two years to her partner Angelica Perez, has told my colleague Lauren Gambino (@lgamgam), who reports on the young couple’s reaction to the day’s news. |
| Contreras and Perez said the ruling means they can finally marry in the state where they were born and raised. | Contreras and Perez said the ruling means they can finally marry in the state where they were born and raised. |
| We decided to call it off and wait. Why should we have to buy plane tickets and get hotels and travel to get married when we she just be able to get married where we live? Now we can get married in our home, in our state where we were born, where we were raised.” | We decided to call it off and wait. Why should we have to buy plane tickets and get hotels and travel to get married when we she just be able to get married where we live? Now we can get married in our home, in our state where we were born, where we were raised.” |
| The couple run the YouTube channel Jelly and Day, which has more than 120,000 subscribers, and Contrerars and Perez say they hope to encourage other gay and lesbian couples to be comfortable showing their love in public. | The couple run the YouTube channel Jelly and Day, which has more than 120,000 subscribers, and Contrerars and Perez say they hope to encourage other gay and lesbian couples to be comfortable showing their love in public. |
| For the couple, this was not always easy. They used to live in Dallas, where they said holding hands attracted disapproving glances. They live in Austin now, Texas’ liberal bastion, and said the people there are much more accepting of their relationship. | For the couple, this was not always easy. They used to live in Dallas, where they said holding hands attracted disapproving glances. They live in Austin now, Texas’ liberal bastion, and said the people there are much more accepting of their relationship. |
| “Here we don’t get stares or looks, or rude remarks or being treated badly at restaurants,” Contreras said. “Since we live here, we can just tell there is such a different tension walking around in Texas as a lesbian couple than in California.” | “Here we don’t get stares or looks, or rude remarks or being treated badly at restaurants,” Contreras said. “Since we live here, we can just tell there is such a different tension walking around in Texas as a lesbian couple than in California.” |
| “Hopefully, people will be more open-minded to the fact that love wins now. Love is winning. Love won.” | “Hopefully, people will be more open-minded to the fact that love wins now. Love is winning. Love won.” |
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| My colleague Amanda Holpuch is landing in Ann Arbor, Michigan, another of the states that is complying with the supreme court’s ruling and issuing same-sex marriage licenses. | My colleague Amanda Holpuch is landing in Ann Arbor, Michigan, another of the states that is complying with the supreme court’s ruling and issuing same-sex marriage licenses. |
| Marriage equality is now the law of this land (Michigan) pic.twitter.com/Y6gKhuGDKR | Marriage equality is now the law of this land (Michigan) pic.twitter.com/Y6gKhuGDKR |
| 7.36pm BST | 7.36pm BST |
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| The ACLU, which spearheaded many of the court battles to legalize same-sex marriage and helped represent Jim Obergefell, has released a statement from its executive director saying the decision “has been 50 years in the making”. | The ACLU, which spearheaded many of the court battles to legalize same-sex marriage and helped represent Jim Obergefell, has released a statement from its executive director saying the decision “has been 50 years in the making”. |
| “Today’s historic victory comes on the backs of same-sex couples and advocates who have worked for decades to dismantle harmful stereotypes and unjust laws in the quest for equal treatment,” said James Esseks, director of the ACLU’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and HIV Project. | “Today’s historic victory comes on the backs of same-sex couples and advocates who have worked for decades to dismantle harmful stereotypes and unjust laws in the quest for equal treatment,” said James Esseks, director of the ACLU’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and HIV Project. |
| “Today’s decision has been 50 years in the making and will stand with Brown vs Board of Education as one of the landmark civil rights moments of our time,” said Anthony D. Romero, ACLU Executive Director. | “Today’s decision has been 50 years in the making and will stand with Brown vs Board of Education as one of the landmark civil rights moments of our time,” said Anthony D. Romero, ACLU Executive Director. |
| “Now we take the battle for full legal equality to the states, where 31 states have yet to pass any statewide LGBT non-discrimination laws. The wind is at our backs, and we are now on the cusp of achieving full legal equality for LGBT Americans across the country.” | “Now we take the battle for full legal equality to the states, where 31 states have yet to pass any statewide LGBT non-discrimination laws. The wind is at our backs, and we are now on the cusp of achieving full legal equality for LGBT Americans across the country.” |
| Dan Canon, attorney at Clay, Daniel, Walton and Adams representing Kentucky plaintiffs who were part of the case, said: “this is the right decision – one that puts the U.S. on the right side of both history and humanity.” | Dan Canon, attorney at Clay, Daniel, Walton and Adams representing Kentucky plaintiffs who were part of the case, said: “this is the right decision – one that puts the U.S. on the right side of both history and humanity.” |
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| Louisiana resists ruling, Mississippi backtracks | Louisiana resists ruling, Mississippi backtracks |
| Louisiana attorney general Buddy Caldwell has released a statement saying that the decision “overturns the will of the people of Louisiana” and that “nothing in today’s decision makes the court’s order effective immediately”. | Louisiana attorney general Buddy Caldwell has released a statement saying that the decision “overturns the will of the people of Louisiana” and that “nothing in today’s decision makes the court’s order effective immediately”. |
| “This Supreme Court decision overturns the will of the people of Louisiana, and it takes away a right that should have been left to the states. Louisiana voters decided overwhelmingly to place in our constitution an amendment that defines marriage as between one man and one woman. I fought to uphold Louisiana’s definition of traditional marriage, and I was the first attorney general in the nation to be successful at the federal court level. | “This Supreme Court decision overturns the will of the people of Louisiana, and it takes away a right that should have been left to the states. Louisiana voters decided overwhelmingly to place in our constitution an amendment that defines marriage as between one man and one woman. I fought to uphold Louisiana’s definition of traditional marriage, and I was the first attorney general in the nation to be successful at the federal court level. |
| “I am extremely disappointed by this decision. It fails to respect traditional marriage as defined by Louisiana voters, and is yet another example of the federal government intrusion into what should be a state issue.” | “I am extremely disappointed by this decision. It fails to respect traditional marriage as defined by Louisiana voters, and is yet another example of the federal government intrusion into what should be a state issue.” |
| In a note appended to the statement, Caldwell’s office says: “it has found nothing in today’s decision that makes the Court’s order effective immediately. Therefore, there is not yet a legal requirement for officials to issue marriage licenses or perform marriages for same-sex couples in Louisiana. The Attorney General’s Office will be watching for the Court to issue a mandate or order making today’s decision final and effective and will issue a statement when that occurs.” | In a note appended to the statement, Caldwell’s office says: “it has found nothing in today’s decision that makes the Court’s order effective immediately. Therefore, there is not yet a legal requirement for officials to issue marriage licenses or perform marriages for same-sex couples in Louisiana. The Attorney General’s Office will be watching for the Court to issue a mandate or order making today’s decision final and effective and will issue a statement when that occurs.” |
| Meanwhile Mississippi attorney general Jim Hood has released a second statement after initially ordering clerks not to issue licenses “immediately”. He now says his office “is certainly not standing in the way of the Supreme Court’s decision”. | Meanwhile Mississippi attorney general Jim Hood has released a second statement after initially ordering clerks not to issue licenses “immediately”. He now says his office “is certainly not standing in the way of the Supreme Court’s decision”. |
| We simply want to inform our citizens of the procedure that takes effect after this ruling. The Supreme Court decision is the law of the land and we do not dispute that. When the 5th Circuit lifts the stay of Judge Reeves’ order, it will become effective in Mississippi and circuit clerks will be required to issue same-sex marriage licenses.” | We simply want to inform our citizens of the procedure that takes effect after this ruling. The Supreme Court decision is the law of the land and we do not dispute that. When the 5th Circuit lifts the stay of Judge Reeves’ order, it will become effective in Mississippi and circuit clerks will be required to issue same-sex marriage licenses.” |
| Their neighbor, Alabama attorney general Luther Strange, is showing no such resistance to the ruling despite his personal opposition to it: “I acknowledge that the US Supreme Court’s ruling is now the law of the land.” | Their neighbor, Alabama attorney general Luther Strange, is showing no such resistance to the ruling despite his personal opposition to it: “I acknowledge that the US Supreme Court’s ruling is now the law of the land.” |
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| Bourbon Street “was still sleeping off a hangover” when it heard the news from Washington, Tom Dart reports New Orleans, but the its proud gay community was ready to celebrate in earnest nonetheless. | Bourbon Street “was still sleeping off a hangover” when it heard the news from Washington, Tom Dart reports New Orleans, but the its proud gay community was ready to celebrate in earnest nonetheless. |
| Like every morning, Bourbon Street was still sleeping off a hangover when the decision came through. But half-a-dozen people were in Cafe Lafitte in Exile, one of the best-known of the cluster of gay bars in the heart of the French Quarter. Open 24/7, it claims to be the oldest continuously operating gay bar in the US and was a haunt of Tennessee Williams. | Like every morning, Bourbon Street was still sleeping off a hangover when the decision came through. But half-a-dozen people were in Cafe Lafitte in Exile, one of the best-known of the cluster of gay bars in the heart of the French Quarter. Open 24/7, it claims to be the oldest continuously operating gay bar in the US and was a haunt of Tennessee Williams. |
| A small rainbow-coloured poster on the door declared: “Victory, Marriage Equality comes to America. Let’s celebrate Happy Hour all day!!!!” | A small rainbow-coloured poster on the door declared: “Victory, Marriage Equality comes to America. Let’s celebrate Happy Hour all day!!!!” |
| All domestic beers and liquor was $1 off, but sitting at the bar, Josh Aldridge was sticking to coffee for the moment. | All domestic beers and liquor was $1 off, but sitting at the bar, Josh Aldridge was sticking to coffee for the moment. |
| The 41-year-old former teacher showed off the white gold engagement ring he’d had for a year. Now he would be able to get married in Louisiana to the man next to him, Tim Wilson, a 43-year-old general manager of a bar company. “We haven’t set a date yet,” he said, looking at Wilson with a grin: “No pressure, baby. No pressure.” | The 41-year-old former teacher showed off the white gold engagement ring he’d had for a year. Now he would be able to get married in Louisiana to the man next to him, Tim Wilson, a 43-year-old general manager of a bar company. “We haven’t set a date yet,” he said, looking at Wilson with a grin: “No pressure, baby. No pressure.” |
| “New Orleans is different from the rest of the south,” he said. “It’s like a little liberal island in a sea of Republican red … we will hold hands here but even in other parts of town we wouldn’t. There’s still a long way to go as far as social acceptance.” | “New Orleans is different from the rest of the south,” he said. “It’s like a little liberal island in a sea of Republican red … we will hold hands here but even in other parts of town we wouldn’t. There’s still a long way to go as far as social acceptance.” |
| “When I was in high school I would never have dreamed of coming out,” he said. “Now you’re seeing more and more kids coming out because they’re not afraid, they don’t think they’re oddities.” | “When I was in high school I would never have dreamed of coming out,” he said. “Now you’re seeing more and more kids coming out because they’re not afraid, they don’t think they’re oddities.” |
| Tom also spoke with Ric Rolston, 56, who said that he let out “screams and tears of joy” upon hearing the decision. | Tom also spoke with Ric Rolston, 56, who said that he let out “screams and tears of joy” upon hearing the decision. |
| He was in Lafitte with his fiance, Darron Newman, a 47-year-old who works in a veterinary office. They got engaged a year ago when they felt that the nation was trending towards marriage equality, but state lawmakers remained hostile amid pressure from religious conservative groups. | He was in Lafitte with his fiance, Darron Newman, a 47-year-old who works in a veterinary office. They got engaged a year ago when they felt that the nation was trending towards marriage equality, but state lawmakers remained hostile amid pressure from religious conservative groups. |
| In an indicator of the prevailing local political attitude, last year the Louisiana House of Representatives overwhelmingly refused to remove the state’s anti-sodomy statute, even though it is legally unenforceable and was declared unconstitutional by the US supreme court in 2003. | In an indicator of the prevailing local political attitude, last year the Louisiana House of Representatives overwhelmingly refused to remove the state’s anti-sodomy statute, even though it is legally unenforceable and was declared unconstitutional by the US supreme court in 2003. |
| But when Rolston heard Friday’s news, he got down on one knee again in the hallway of their house in Marigny, confident this time that their engagement was now more than a symbolic gesture in Louisiana. “He took my ring off, proposed and gave it right back,” Newman said. | But when Rolston heard Friday’s news, he got down on one knee again in the hallway of their house in Marigny, confident this time that their engagement was now more than a symbolic gesture in Louisiana. “He took my ring off, proposed and gave it right back,” Newman said. |
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| When he did address the nation, Obama praised “the countless acts of courage” made by millions of Americans over decades. | When he did address the nation, Obama praised “the countless acts of courage” made by millions of Americans over decades. |
| 6.50pm BST | 6.50pm BST |
| 18:50 | 18:50 |
| Barack Obama personally called Jim Obergefell earlier today to congratulate him on his victory in the supreme court, a moment captured on live television not all that long before the president addressed the nation as a whole. | Barack Obama personally called Jim Obergefell earlier today to congratulate him on his victory in the supreme court, a moment captured on live television not all that long before the president addressed the nation as a whole. |