This past week on June 26, America celebrated a triumphant and historical event. The Supreme Court of the United States ruled same-sex marriage to be legal in every state of the United States. Within minutes of the news, news outlets and social media exploded with an abundance of reactions, but there was one overwhelming response to the news: joy.
Thousands of people took to Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, and Twitter to post their current thoughts followed by several rainbow emojis and the hashtag, #lovewins. Snapchat added a "rainbow" filter for their users to show off their pride, major corporations like Yahoo! and Twitter changed their icons on social media outlets to a rainbow version of their logo, and many celebrities posted photos to Instagram to show their support. Even when we thought we'd seen it all, the White House was lit up with rainbow lights.
Despite any negative thoughts or feelings expressed about the groundbreaking news, it didn't stop the nationwide celebrations. Many couples couldn't wait any longer than they were already forced to wait, and got married within hours of the law being passed. The next day, several countries around the world celebrated Pride Day in honor of the recent advances in LGBTQ community. Parades in Paris, San Francisco, England, and many more, filled the streets with color, music, dancing, and laughter to celebrate.
Justice Anthony M. Kennedy wrote for the majority in this historical ruling. “No union is more profound than marriage, for it embodies the highest ideals of love, fidelity, devotion, sacrifice and family. In forming a marital union, two people become something greater than once they were".
