RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) – Friday was a day for celebration for many in Richmond after the Supreme Court ruling came down, making same-sex marriage legal in all 50 states.
“Everybody deserves the right to marry who you love,” said Rev. Carolyn Mobley.
“Today love rules, love wins,” said Shirley Lesser.
That love will no longer be refused across state lines thanks the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that gay and lesbian couples across the country have a constitutional right to marry.
“For us, particularly with a medically complicated kid, it is literally life-saving. If my job transfers me somewhere, I now know that our marriage, and the recognition that we’re a family, goes with us,” said Shirley Lesser next to her wife India Lipton.
“This is equal to when women got to vote or when segregation was lifted. This is people getting their rights,” said Adrian Prentiss.
“Our story is ever expanding about freedom, equality and liberty, and that’s why it’s important to celebrate,” said Marc Purinton with his husband Van Baskins.
Dozens celebrated at the Byrd Theater in Carytown. Supporters say it’s a historic decision and dream that so many fought for.
“We have people who have gone before us. Many of them have lost their jobs, their families, their friends, their community, and some of them actually lost their lives. So tonight, we remember,” said Bill Harrison, with the Gay Community Center of Richmond.
“The first time a same sex-couple tried to get a court to rule that they can get married legally was in 1971 in Minneapolis. It went to the Supreme Court, the Supreme Court of the United States said there’s no federal question here, and now here we are; it’s an amazing transformation. The Supreme Court not only recognizes that there’s a federal question here, but it rules in our favor,” said Marc Purinton.
“This is our family, our community. We’ve all suffered, we’ve all worked. We all deserve the right to celebrate our dignity,” said Lesser.
