Today, Congressman Jerrold Nadler (NY-10), senior member of the House Judiciary Committee and a leading advocate for LGBT rights in Congress, released the following statement after the United States Supreme Court’s historic decision recognizing the Constitutional guarantee of marriage equality for same-sex couples.

“Today, our country took another momentous step in the journey for full equality and protection under the Constitution for all Americans.  I applaud the U.S. Supreme Court for their 5-4 ruling, which will no longer allow state governments to burden their citizens by refusing to grant gay and lesbian couples marriage licenses based on who they love.

“The decision by the Court upheld the belief Justice Warren affirmed in Loving v. Virginia, that marriage is “fundamental to our very existence and survival,” and in so doing has reestablished marriage as a civil right.  In the amici brief I submitted to the Court along with my Congressional colleagues, I argued that laws which deny recognition of legal same-sex marriages have never served any legitimate purpose. Today’s ruling exposes such laws as a deprivation of the equal liberty guarantee of the Constitution’s 14th Amendment.

“It is unconscionable that anyone could continue to deny universal access and recognition, as well as the associated safety and security, to same-sex couples and their families, and I am glad the Court has expanded upon its decision in United States v. Windsor to ensure that all Americans are given the equal respect and support they deserve.

“When I authored the Respect for Marriage Act, it was to reverse the injustices and address the many hardships suffered by loving and committed same-sex couples.  The experience of people like my friend and constituent Edie Winsor is tragically all too common in the LGBT community.  Edie’s story is not unique – it is one in a long list of stories where gay and lesbian couples have been discriminated against.  James Obergefell, who is one of the marriage equality plaintiffs, was married on a tarmac in Maryland while his partner was near dying, only for their home state of Ohio to refuse recognition of their marriage even for the purpose of being listed on a death certificate.  Such laws are both morally and constitutionally wrong, and we have been long overdue in delivering justice for the men and women who have had to suffer because of who they love.

“While today’s ruling continues the progress that has been long and hard fought for, we still have a long way to go to ensure full equality and full protections for all of our citizens.  The fight must continue for equality to become a reality for LGBT Americans, particularly when they can still be fired from their jobs, denied housing and turned away from stores simply for being who they are.  We must work together to pass comprehensive nondiscrimination legislation and today’s ruling by the Court shows that progress is possible.”