Supreme Court rules on same-sex marriage; music community responds
Today, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled on two key issues concerning same-sex marriage: a constitutional provision of the Defense Of Marriage Act (DOMA) and the constitutionality of California's same-sex marriage ban (Proposition 8).
DOMA, which was instituted in 1996 under the Clinton administration, prevented the federal government from recognizing same-sex unions performed by states, rendering same-sex couples ineligible to receive federal benefits. In a vote of 5-4, the Supreme Court found key aspects of DOMA to be unconstitutional, and in violation of the fifth amendment.
In another ruling of 5-4, the Supreme Court declined to overturn California's ruling of Proposition 8's constitutionality, thus allowing same-sex marriage to resume in the state. Prop 8 was initially passed in 2008, banning same-sex marriage, but was eventually overturned by the state government. A series of appeals brought the issue to the Supreme Court, where they determined today that supporters did not have the standing to further appeal the matter.
By declining to weigh in on Prop 8, the Supreme Court has sidestepped the issue of examining the legality of same-sex marriage at the federal level. Though the DOMA ruling allows for equal federal benefits for same-sex couples, the legalization of same-sex unions is still ultimately a state issue.
As with any major social and political issue, especially one so significant in moving towards equality for all American citizens, members of the music community have taken to Twitter to weigh in. Check out a roundup of tweets, below.
Such good news to wake up to #domaisdead #prop8gone proud to be here to witness this. Love should never be legislated against.
— Pete Wentz (@petewentz) June 26, 2013
WIN FOR EQUALITY! now let's give women back their uterusial (uteral?) (uterus-related?) (artisinal?) rights and act like we live in 2013!
— Mark Hoppus (@markhoppus) June 26, 2013
Lot of amazing history going down the past few days. So exciting to be alive for it.
— Hayley from Paramore (@yelyahwilliams) June 26, 2013
today – today is a day in which all of us who have stood on the right side of history should feel great… http://t.co/v4Y4lp12Z0
— jackantonoff (@jackantonoff) June 26, 2013
Yay! Rot in hell DOMA!
— ジェラールド (@gerardway) June 26, 2013
AND DOWN #DOMA GOES!!! WHAT A HUGE DAY FOR AMERICA !!! CONGRATS EVERYONE!!!
— Tegan and Sara (@teganandsara) June 26, 2013
It's insane to me that some people think giving others equal rights means their rights are being taken away.
— John Nolan (@TheJohnNolan) June 26, 2013
Homophobia and discrimination is not punk rock. FUCK DOMA.
— Riot Fest (@RiotFest) June 26, 2013
So this means there will not be extra taxes when I inherit @kristinnoeline's castle & moat? PSYCHED
— Jenny Owen Youngs (@jennyowenyoungs) June 26, 2013
GAY PEOPLE ARE AWESOME. #HumanRightsAreParty
— ANDREW WK (@AndrewWK) June 26, 2013
Woke up to find DOMA is finally unconstitutional!!! WHAT'S UP WORLD, I'M A PERSON, AND THE SCOTUS AGREES!!! #Equality
— ALLISON WEISS (@allisonweiss) June 26, 2013
“@BreakingNews: Supreme Court rules DOMA is unconstitutional – @SCOTUSblog” so awesome! #loveislove
— Taylor Jardine (@TayJardine) June 26, 2013
Yay! What a good day to be an American! ����❤����
— BEST COAST (@best_coast) June 26, 2013
Proud of America right now. The right decision was finally made. DOMA overturned and today is a new day.
— THE EARLY NOVEMBER (@theearlynov) June 26, 2013
