Today is a joyous moment in our movement's march towards justice and equality for all. The Supreme Court's ruling is deeply personal to all of us, and here are our reactions...

Andy Garcia, Program Manager
I've spent the majority of my career working with LGBTQ youth, mostly in Boston. In 2004, when marriage equality became law in Massachusetts, I was frankly more concerned with preventing suicide, homelessness, and HIV than I was with my own right to get married. Now that it's become a reality across the country, I couldn't be prouder of how far we've come. All of us, including LGBTQ youth, now have a brighter future in front of us.

Jenn Curtin, Program Associate
In 2008, at the age of seventeen, I finally felt safe enough to come out to family and friends just when California passed Proposition 8, banning same-sex marriage in my home state. This defeat of such a basic human right made me terrified about my marriage-less future. Today, I am so grateful for all the blood, sweat and tears of those who have come before me, those who created a different future for me and other LGBTQ youth. I feel truly blessed to be in a generation that no longer has to dream, but knows marriage is possible for them. Today, we celebrate this historic victory, and pledge to continue fighting for the many rights yet to be won.

Fran Hutchins, Director of Organizational Support & Leadership Training
The joy of today is tempered for me by the memories I hold of my friends who didn't live to see this day. Growing up queer in the south was hard, and we didn't all make it. I dedicate my small part in today's victory to them, and promise my continued work to those that continue to face oppression and violence, especially transgender and fellow queer folks of color.

Mark Daniel Snyder, Director of Communications
When my husband and I have children, we will tell them about this day with tears in our eyes because it is at this moment that our government, at its highest levels, has declared that people like us and families like ours are truly valued and respected as equal under the law. Love really is all we need. I'm so proud to be a part of the state-based movement for equality amongst so many brilliant people who have helped make this victory possible, and I look forward to sharing more historic wins with our community because there is so much more work to do. Our youth face high rates of homelessness and suicide. Our trans brothers and sisters face extraordinarily high rates of violence and discrimination. Racism and other forms of prejudice still permeate our culture and institutions. And, 32 states do not have nondiscrimination laws that protect LGBT people from being fired from their jobs or kicked out of their homes. Please join me and Equality Federation in harnessing this momentum to get the job done!

Roey Thorpe, Director of Advocacy Programs
In the excitement of this historic decision, my mind keeps returning to the hardest moment: election night in 2004, when Oregon passed Measure 36, a statewide ban on same sex marriage.  That night was devastating for Oregon, and for many others all across the country experiencing the same loss, and the reminder of how much work we still had to do.  Now, after attending so many weddings of long time couples and seeing their joy, I think about how far we've come in the past 10 years, and still, how much work we have to do.  The difference is that we know we can do it, that we are changing our world and creating possibilities for future generations, and that we will always stand for justice and equality.

Ian Palmquist, Director of Leadership Programs
I first came out as gay when I was in high school in Raleigh, North Carolina. My mother, though incredibly supportive, cried because she thought being gay meant I had a lonely life ahead of me. Getting married someday wasn't something I imagined ever being possible for me.  Last November, my then-partner, now-husband Brad and I were among the first to get our licenses in North Carolina, and soon after that were married with my mother and the rest of our families there cheering us on. Today's decision doesn't just mean that couples like us can marry everywhere in our country; it means that the gay kids growing up right now will see a path open to them that I couldn't dream of.

Anne Stanbeck, Director of Strategic Partnerships
I realized the other day that I have been working in the marriage equality movement--in Connecticut for nearly a decade and then as a board member of both GLAD and Freedom to Marry--for 15 years, more than a quarter of my life. The Supreme Court's historic decision ends a significant chapter in my life. I have met some of the best people I know in this work, seen my state and our country become more accepting, equitable places, and married the love of my life. More work remains on many fronts, but today it is a joy to savor this victory.

Rebecca Isaacs, Executive Director
Today, I think back to 2008, when I was finally able to marry the woman I have shared my life with for nearly 25 years. It was an incredibly joyous day and so important to us and our daughter. My heart is so full knowing all loving couples across our great nation will now be able to share in the freedom to marry. Our community owes much gratitude to the legal groups, plaintiffs, state-based organizations, and, especially, to all the couples and families who bravely shared their stories for the past several decades. I’ve never felt more energized to get the work done so that all Americans can be fully equal and protected under the law.