Jun 26, 2015
Equality NC Responds to Heartbreaking Marriage Ruling
North Carolina's largest LGBT advocacy organization said "History will look back on this day in shame.”
RALEIGH, N.C. - Equality NC, North Carolina’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) advocacy organization, released the following statement today responding to a U.S. Supreme Court’s [5-4] ruling that found the U.S. Constitution does not guarantee the freedom to marry for same-sex couples or equal respect for legal marriages performed in other states.
This statement can be attributed to Chris Sgro, executive director of Equality NC:
"The Supreme Court’s decision in Oberfegell vs. Hodges effectively bars the freedom to marry in 13 states and provides no national resolution to the issue of marriage equality.
This is dark and painful day.The Supreme Court had an opportunity to end marriage discrimination, but failed families, the Constitution, and the country in ruling against the freedom to marry. Same-sex couples want and deserve the same protections, responsibilities, and respect afforded other Americans. This ruling means continued harms and indignity for countless gay and lesbian Americans.
History will look back on this day in shame. The Constitution guarantees liberty and equality, and laws prohibiting the freedom to marry for same-sex couples are contrary to those principles and should have been struck down. Today the Court failed in its duty.
But the irrefutable momentum for marriage in the United States can’t be dampened. We will build on the states we have won and the solid majority we have persuaded, and grow the number of states and support so that when the next freedom to marry case comes before the next set of justices, they get it right.
We must continue doing the work until all committed couples in all 50 states have the freedom to marry the person they love."
On October 10, 2014 North Carolina became the 29th state to win the freedom to marry. This month, the legislature overrode a gubernatorial veto to pass legislation allowing certain public officials to recuse themselves from marrying same-sex couples.
Equality NC and its partners throughout the state will host “Decision Day” events today to help the community understand the ruling. Community members, media, and elected officials can RSVP participation and learn exact times for these events at equalitync.org/marriage.
Equality NC is a statewide organization working to secure equal rights and justice for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender North Carolinians.