On Friday, June 26, the long-fought gay rights movement achieved a victory as the Supreme Court ruled that the Constitution guarantees marriage equality for same-sex couples. This ruling, anticipated by a majority of the public, is being referred to by President Barack Obama as “a victory for America.”

Following the 5 to 4 decision, Justice Anthony M. Kennedy wrote the majority opinion for the other four supporting justices. Each of the four opposing justices wrote dissenting opinions as well.

In his opinion, Justice Kennedy explained his thoughts behind the decision.

“It would misunderstand these men and women to say they disrespect the idea of marriage. Their plea is that they do respect it, respect it so deeply that they seek to find its fulfillment for themselves,” Justice Kennedy wrote. “They ask for equal dignity in the eyes of the law. The Constitution grants them that right.”

Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) member Hannah Morris, a senior, agrees with the recent ruling; Morris partakes in GSA to support and discuss the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community.

“I’m ecstatic that the Supreme Court finally got their act together,” Morris said.

Morris has been highly-involved in GSA since she first joined as a freshman.

“This ruling is a very good thing. So what if a girl marries another girl? It’s love. No country or government should be able to take that away,” Morris said.

On the opposite spectrum, Chief Justice John Roberts argued in his dissenting opinion that this ruling goes against the Constitution.

“If you are among the many Americans — of whatever sexual orientation — who favor expanding same-sex marriage, by all means celebrate today’s decision,” he wrote. “Celebrate the achievement of a desired goal. Celebrate the opportunity for a new expression of commitment to a partner. Celebrate the availability of new benefits. But do not celebrate the Constitution. It had nothing to do with it.”

Senior Kayla Poyer disagrees with Chief Justice Roberts and other critics.

“There will always be people who disagree with it because of religious views and just personal views, but I respond with my opinion and will always respect the opposing opinion too. Love is a beautiful thing and everyone should be able to experience it no matter what sex you are,” Poyer said.

Jim Obergefell, who progressed as the face of this case, Obergefell v. Hodges, originally sought to put his name on his husband’s certificate of death in his home state of Ohio. According to the Washington Post, Obergefell stated: “Today’s ruling from the Supreme Court affirms what millions across the country already know to be true in our hearts: that our love is equal.”

Before the official ruling in Obergefell’s case, 36 states allowed same-sex marriage; and according to The New York Times more than 70 percent of Americans currently live in areas where gay or lesbian couples can already marry.

“It is my hope that the term gay marriage will soon be a thing of the past, that from this day forward it will be simply, marriage,” Obergefell said, according to the Washington Post.

Acceptance for same-sex marriage hit a tremendous growth over recent decades. A 1996 Gallup poll on the topic showed a 27 percent approval, while a Gallup poll released this month showed a 60 percent approval.

On a more global scale, according to CNN, America is now the twenty-first nation to legalize same-sex marriage.

Celebrations are taking place nationwide. Chicago citizens partook in their own celebration during the annual Pride Weekend.

Kicking off at noon on Sunday, June 28, at Montrose Avenue and Broadway in Uptown, the Chicago Pride parade took place over a four-mile route. It ended near the intersection on Diversey Parkway and Sheridan Road in Lincoln Park.

Poyer attended the parade with several friends and recalled a particular time she enjoyed.

“It was so much fun. I met a girl and her fiance who just got engaged the day they found out it became legal nationwide. They were both so happy, and it was wonderful to see because it was something they both deserved. It was an amazing environment to be around, and I would definitely go support everyone next year,” Poyer said.