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WESTCHESTER COUNTY, N.Y., FAIRFIELD COUNTY, Conn. -- Residents and elected officials from Westchester and Fairfield Counties praised decisions from the Supreme Court Wednesday on same-sex marriage.
“The defense of marriage act has been proven unconstitutional, and it is no less unconstitutional today than when it was first enacted in 1996," David Juhren said in a statement. Juhren is the executive director of the LOFT LGBT community center in White Plains. "We are overjoyed that today, married same sex couples in those states that allow it will have their marriages recognized by the federal government of the United States."
The court ruled that the Defense of Marriage Act, which says that a marriage is between one woman and one man, was unconstitutional because it did not provide equal protection under federal law. A separate case concerning Prop 8, a ban against same-sex marriage, in California was determined to have no standing, upholding a lesser court's ruling that it was unconstitutional.
Same-sex marriage is legal in both New York and Connecticut.
"The LOFT congratulates Edie Windsor on her victory on behalf of same-sex couples, as well as all of those who have worked very hard to help repeal this unfair, and now unconstitutional law," Juhren said.
President Barack Obama tweeted that the DOMA decision was "a historic step forward for #marriageequality." Obama was flying on Air Force 1 to Africa when the court's decisions were released.
Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy applauded the court's decisions Wednesday, saying every resident "deserves to have their marriage recognized."
"A marriage should not be a right that you gain and lose on a road trip across the country," Malloy said in a statement. “My wife Cathy and I proudly join with all of our friends, both gay and straight, to celebrate today’s ruling and it’s recognition of justice for all.”
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo tweeted Wednesday's decisions were "Groundbreaking civil rights victories today for #LGBT community & major step forward in our efforts to achieve full #marriageequality #DOMA"
Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), who served as the state's attorney general when gay marriage was legalized, tweeted from the crowd outside the Supreme Court building.
"Proud to be an American as #SCOTUS rules for equal rights & freedom in this age of #marriageequality #doma."
Sen. Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D-Yonkers) called Wednesday "a great day for civil rights!" on Twitter.
"I am so proud that New York helped lead the way to equality for all!"
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