‘Love won’: Celebrities praise gay marriage ruling
Openly gay couple Ellen DeGeneres (left) and Portial de Rossi. AFP FILE PHOTO
LOS ANGELES—Pop stars, Hollywood celebrities and even a few sporting figures were quick to join the chorus of praise Friday after the US Supreme Court legalized gay marriage across the country.
“Really encouraged to be an American today,” singer Katy Perry wrote on Twitter, where she has the most-followed account.
“Love should live beyond labels & intolerance! #LoveWins #EqualityForAll,” she added, using popular hashtags that were trending on Twitter.
Many high-profile entertainment industry figures have long been outspoken advocates of progressive causes, and gay marriage was no exception.
“Big moment for our country. Thank you, #SCOTUS,” actor-director Ben Affleck wrote on Twitter, using the acronym for the Supreme Court of the United States.
Article continues after this advertisementOpenly gay stars weighed in on the historic day. Ellen DeGeneres, who hosts a popular television talk show, tweeted: “Love won. #MarriageEquality.”
Article continues after this advertisementBritish actor Ian McKellen, who came out publicly in the 1980s and is known for starring roles in “Lord of the Rings” and “X-Men,” tweeted: “Congratulations, particularly to those who made the case for equality.”
Latin sex-symbol/pop singer Ricky Martin, who came out as gay in 2010, wrote that the Supreme Court “just announced that love is equal across the nation!!! #MarriageEquality #LoveAlwaysWins #Loveislove.”
In sports, an often macho realm where gay players have traditionally been reluctant to come out, a few big names chimed in with their support for gay marriage.
Former US soccer captain Landon Donovan wrote: “What an amazing day for our country. So happy for all the people who can now live their lives the way they want to. #proud.”
Openly gay tennis legend Martina Navratilova wrote: “Last year on June 26th, my wife Julia’s birthday, DOMA (the Defense of Marriage Act that defined marriage as between a man and a woman) was overturned. This year Same Sex Marriage is a right for all of us – yeah!!!!”
She also had some harsh words for the Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, who was one of four judges to oppose marriage for all.
“Scalia is even more disgraceful than I thought possible,” she wrote.
Other celebrities also celebrated the ruling:
“What an amazing day for equality!!!! Love always wins!!!!” — Kim Kardashian West, via Twitter.
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“Love is bigger than anything we can say.” — Diana Ross, via Twitter.
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“Finally And at Last! The Revolution Of Love has Begun!” — Madonna, via Twitter.
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“What a great decision the Supreme Court came to today. It’s a wonderful day to celebrate. It’s extraordinary. I couldn’t be happier. For all of my gay friends, for anyone who loves someone and has the right to be with them, it’s a great day.” — Allison Janney, in an interview.
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“Equality = Freedom. Freedom = Love.” — Pharrell Williams, via Twitter.
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“Progress feels good. This one won’t be undone. Unlike voting rights or Roe v Wade, THIS decision will continue to move forward because people will SEE with their own eyes how wrong they were to ever bother feeling threatened by gay marriage.” — Kathy Griffin, in a statement.
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“Wow. Another historic day for #MarriageEquality!” — J.K. Rowling, via Twitter.
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“Just woke up to the Good News! Goin’ To The Chapel!” — Bette Midler, via Twitter.
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“It is nice that people who choose to be married have that choice. And I can’t say how happy I am that everyone now finally gets that choice.” — Jon Hamm, in an interview.
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“EQUALITY!” — Adam Lambert, via Twitter.
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Screengrab from Sam Smith’s Instagram account
“Times are changing my friends. We have such a long way to go and so much more fighting to do so I hope nobody stops and thinks everything’s ok because it isn’t, BUT it’s days like today, and moments like this that we’ve all gotta have a drink and celebrate how far we have come. I couldn’t be prouder to be gay.” — Sam Smith, via Instagram.
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“Same-sex marriage is now legal all across the US! Free to love. Free to marry. Free to be equal!” — Lady Gaga, via Twitter.
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“Can’t stop smiling. Today is truly a day in history!” — Emmy Rossum, via Twitter.
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“Never did I dream this day could come…and now it’s here.” — Lee Daniels.
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“A beautiful long overdue victory and a day to celebrate. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the constitution guarantees a nationwide right to same-sex marriage.” — Kate Hudson, via Instagram.
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In this May 17, 2015 file photo, Harry Styles of the musical group One Direction arrives at the Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas. Styles responded to the Supreme Court’s ruling on Friday, June 26, that same-sex couples have a right to marry anywhere in the United States, by tweeting, “Huge day for America. Happy to see the news. All the love.” The ruling is a historic culmination of decades of litigation over gay marriage and gay rights generally. Gay and lesbian couples already could marry in 36 states and the District of Columbia. The court’s 5-4 ruling means the remaining 14 states, in the South and Midwest, will have to stop enforcing their bans on same-sex marriage.(Photo by Eric Jamison/Invision/AP, File)
“Huge day for America. Happy to see the news. All the love.” — Harry Styles, via Twitter.
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“It’s a new day. Thank you Supreme Court. Thank you Justice Kennedy. Your opinion is profound, in more ways than you may know. #huzzah.” — Neil Patrick Harris, via Twitter.
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“Wow. So moved to hear such amazing news. What a beautiful day. Grateful to those who have worked so tirelessly for equality.” — Ellen Page, via Twitter.
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“Happy tears on the eve of my own wedding anniversary that all my friends can know their marriage is respected and protected by the law of the land.” — America Ferrera, via Instagram.
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“This is a happy day, not just for LGBT Americans, but for all Americans. It is the beginning of an era where we no longer will speak about same-sex marriage, but of marriage. And one day, we need not speak of LGBT rights, for they simply will be human rights. Across this great land, families are celebrating because we truly are one family.” — George Takei in a statement.
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“I have always said that everyone has the right to love who they love and today, with the historic decision from the Supreme Court, I am so happy it is now the law of the land.” — Liza Minnelli in a statement.
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“What’s better than a supreme taco from Taco Bell? The Supreme Court of the United States. Thank you for making marriage legal for EVERYONE today. Best birthday gift ever.” — Sean Hayes, via Facebook.
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“Today is beautiful.” — Anna Kendrick, via Twitter.
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“Is there a computer genius who can make my GIF dreams come true with Justice Ginsburg on a rainbow clad motorcycle riding into the sunset?” — Audra McDonald, via Twitter.
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“#MarriageEquaility!!!! A giant step towards our country being a better place to be!” Shonda Rhimes, via Twitter.
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“Love won! Dignity won! Common sense won! SCOTUS is 2 for 2. Bravo.” — Jason Alexander, via Twitter.
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“i am so overwhelmed with gratitude for the wisdom of our Supreme Court – and the courage of generations of LGBT crusaders who have fought hard and sacrificed much to lead us to this powerfully emotional and historic moment!!! what an amazing day for our community – and our country!” — Zachary Quinto, via Instagram.
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“Hugely emotional that marriage equality has finally come to the U.S. History! Love ALWAYS wins.” — Jesse Tyler Ferguson, via Twitter.
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Not everyone was unanimous in their support. Minnesota Vikings football player Josh Robinson wrote: “Love is love? So what will we say when the 30yr old loves YOUR 10 year old. When the dad loves HIS 6 year old? It’s different?? Yea okay!”
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