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Good morning.
Our nation was founded on a bedrock principle that we are all created equal. The project of each generation is to bridge the meaning of those founding words with therealities of changing times -- a never-ending quest to ensure those words ring true for everysingle American.
Progress on this journey often comes in small increments, sometimes two steps forward, onestep back, propelled by the persistent effort of dedicated citizens. And then sometimes, thereare days like this when that slow, steady effort is rewarded with justice that arrives like athunderbolt.
This morning, the Supreme Court recognized that the Constitution guarantees marriage equality. In doing so, they’ve reaffirmed that all Americans are entitled to the equal protection of the law. That all people should be treated equally, regardless of who they are or who they love.
This decision will end the patchwork system we currently have. It will end the uncertaintyhundreds of thousands of same-sex couples face from not knowing whether their marriage,legitimate in the eyes of one state, will remain if they decide to move [to] or even visit another. This ruling will strengthen all of our communities by offering to all loving same-sex couples thedignity of marriage across this great land.
In my second inaugural address, I said that if we are truly created equal, then surely the love wecommit to one another must be equal as well. It is gratifying to see that principle enshrined intolaw by this decision.
This ruling is a victory for Jim Obergefell and the other plaintiffs in the case. It's a victory forgay and lesbian couples who have fought so long for their basic civil rights. It’s a victory fortheir children, whose families will now be recognized as equal to any other. It’s a victory for theallies and friends and supporters who spent years, even decades, working and praying forchange to come.
And this ruling is a victory for America. This decision affirms what millions of Americans alreadybelieve in their hearts: When all Americans are treated as equal we are all more free.
My administration has been guided by that idea. It’s why we stopped defending the so-calledDefense of Marriage Act, and why we were pleased when the Court finally struck down a centralprovision of that discriminatory law. It’s why we ended “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” From extendingfull marital benefits to federal employees and their spouses, to expanding hospital visitationrights for LGBT patients and their loved ones, we’ve made real progress in advancing equality forLGBT Americans in ways that were unimaginable not too long ago.
I know change for many of our LGBT brothers and sisters must have seemed so slow for solong. But compared to so many other issues, America’s shift has been so quick. I know thatAmericans of goodwill continue to hold a wide range of views on this issue. Opposition in somecases has been based on sincere and deeply held beliefs. All of us who welcome today’s newsshould be mindful of that fact; recognize different viewpoints; revere our deep commitment toreligious freedom.
But today should also give us hope that on the many issues with which we grapple, oftenpainfully, real change is possible. Shifts in hearts and minds is possible. And those who havecome so far on their journey to equality have a responsibility to reach back and help others jointhem. Because for all our differences, we are one people, stronger together than we could everbe alone. That’s always been our story.
We are big and vast and diverse; a nation of people with different backgrounds and beliefs,different experiences and stories, but bound by our shared ideal that no matter who you are orwhat you look like, how you started off, or how and who you love, America is a place where youcan write your own destiny. We are a people who believe that every single child is entitled to lifeand liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
There’s so much more work to be done to extend the full promise of America to every American. But today, we can say in no uncertain terms that we’ve made our union a little more perfect.
That’s the consequence of a decision from the Supreme Court, but, more importantly, it is aconsequence of the countless small acts of courage of millions of people across decades whostood up, who came out, who talked to parents -- parents who loved their children no matterwhat. Folks who were willing to endure bullying and taunts, and stayed strong, and came tobelieve in themselves and who they were, and slowly made an entire country realize that love islove.
What an extraordinary achievement. What a vindication of the belief that ordinary people can doextraordinary things. What a reminder of what Bobby Kennedy once said about how smallactions can be like pebbles being thrown into a still lake, and ripples of hope cascade outwardsand change the world.
Those countless, often anonymous heroes -- they deserve our thanks. They should be veryproud. America should be very proud.
Thank you.
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