The gay rights movement saw a significant victory at the Supreme Court on Wednesday. In a 5-4 ruling in United States v. Windsor, the court struck down a provision of the 17-year-old Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) that denies federal benefits -- like Social Security benefits or the ability to file joint tax returns -- to same-sex couples legally married."DOMA is unconstitutional as a deprivation of the equal liberty of persons that is protected by the Fifth Amendment," Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote for the majority. Kennedy was joined by Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan.
Gay married couples (including my husband and me) will now receive federal benefits.
At the same time, the court ruled 5-4 that the defendants in the case of Hollingsworth v. Perry, which considered the constitutionality of California's same-sex marriage ban (called Proposition 8), have no standing in court. Chief Justice John Roberts wrote the majority opinion, joined by Justices Antonin Scalia, Ginsburg, Breyer and Kagan. Gay couples in California will now be able to get married.
Soap opera stars immediately took to Twitter to post their reaction (so far all in support of the decisions):
Greg Rikaart (@gregrikaart):
Not getting married anytime soon, but celebrating #equality tonight nonetheless.
ONE LIFE TO LIVE's Robin Strasser (@robinstrasser)
It's a GREAT DAY in the United States of America. EQUALITY is non-debatable. Some may be fearful of change. With trust that too will change.
ALL MY CHILDREN's Cady McClain (@realcadymcclain):
Wow. Congrats to all LGBT couples!!! A great day.
DAYS OF OUR LVIES' Eileen Davidson (@eileen_davidson):
@NOH8Campaign so thrilled today. Lets celebrate equal rights for all!
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL's Karla Mosley (@karlamosley):
DOMA is gone!!!!!! I'm in tears thinking about all the people who have been working TIRELESSLY to make this happen. You are saints all of u.
Kristian Alfonso (@KJAlfonso):; )))) pic.twitter.com/k0zJtdJXie
ONE LIFE TO LIVE's Tuc Watkins (@tucwatkins):
It's a good day to be an American!
GENERAL HOSPITAL's Parry Shen (@parryshen):
What a great Bday present. #DINGDONGDOMASDEAD
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL's Heather Tom (@BBheathertom):
It's a historic day- justice and sanity rule!
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS' Christian Le Blanc (@CJLeBlanc):
GOOD-BYE H8!!!
Former DAYS OF OUR LIVES actress Molly Burnett (@mollydollyy):
DOMA is DEAD!!!! Get married bitchessssss ;) #TwoStepsForward #MarriageEquality
REVENGE's Gabriel Mann (@Gabriel_Mann):
#EqualityForAll
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS' Greg Rikaart (@gregrikaart):
#equality
Former ONE LIFE TO LIVE actress JudithLight (@JudithLight):
Equality reigns in the land 2day! My heart is full of joy 4 my LGBT brothers & sisters Deepest gratitude 2 all who made this day possible!
Former AS THE WORLD TURNS (and Y&R) actress Jennifer landon (@jrlandon):
#DOMAisDEAD !!! Thank you to the mighty #EdithWindsor
GLEE's Harry Shum Jr (@iharryshum):
In all seriousness, congrats America. You win today. How this was even an issue still blows my mind. #LoveIsLove
DAYS OF OUR LIVES' Blake Berris (@BlakeBerris):
Bye #DOMA. it was fun while it lasted. oh wait. no it wasn't. #NOH8 #EQUALITY #gaymarriage
Former 90210 (and DAYS) actor Trevor Donovan (@TrevDon):
Welcome to the 21st Century America! ...sorry it took so long
GENERAL HOSPITAL's Laura Wright (@lldubs):
Love is Love!!!!! #hellyeahcali
ALL MY CHILDREN's Alicia Minshew (@alicia_minshew):
Yay California!!! No more Prop 8!!! Free love for all!!!
DAYS OF OUR LIVES' Eric Martsolf (@ericmartsolf):
“@TIME: Supreme Court clears way for gay marriage in California | http://ti.me/14xf48R ” Awesome.
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL's Scott Clifton (@CliftonsNotes):
It's a good day for a moral victory! #DOMA #Prop8 #equalityforall
Former ONE LIFE TO LIVE actor Terrell Tilford (@TerrellTilford):
Same Love... #MarriageEquality for ALL!!! http://vimeo.com/53277837 #Vimeo @Macklemore & @RyanLewis Let YOUR Voice Be Heard!!!
Alfonso's photo here got me thinking of all the daytimers who've posed for NOH8. Others I can think of are:
ReplyDeleteChristian LeBlanc
Michael Muhney
Melody Thomas Scott
Freddie Smith
Chandler Massey
Brant Daugherty
Brandon Beemer
Nadia Bjorlin
Alicia Minshew
Eden Riegel
Nancy Lee Grahn
Ilene Kristen
Casey Jon Diedrick
Molly Burnett
Crystal Chappell
Camila Banus
Blake Berris
The Days of Our Lives Group photo
Any more to add?
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ReplyDeleteEstetik
Gotta love Greg (and Robert)! .. Thanks guys!
ReplyDeleteYes, very nice, Greg!!
ReplyDeleteFox, I only saw supportive tweets on Wednesday. Were there any soap stars with an opposing view?
I also saw Dan Cathy's tweet that he later deleted.
Roger - Didn't see (or hear of) anything myself. But since twitter is based on the concept of "followers" I admit that I tend to follow only people who understand the importance of equal protection under the law, meaning I may be the wrong person to ask!
ReplyDeleteThank you WLS!!! Per usual, thoughtful coverage of how social justice and entertainment meets! I smiled the entire read and smiled some more after re-reading it.
ReplyDeleteGreg Rikaart seems like a true doll and a true warrior.
Thanks, Joshua.
ReplyDeleteAn curious...who's the guy in the pic with Greg Rikaart?
ReplyDelete@ Gossip Guy - That's actor/writer Robert Sudduth, who's most recent project was working as one of the staff writers for NBC's series The New Normal. An equally-talented guy!
ReplyDeleteI Knew We Would Be Blessed This Way Someday--Yay!
ReplyDeleteBrian :-)