West Hartford Reacts to U.S. Supreme Court Striking Down DOMA

The U.S. Supreme Court today, June 26, has struck down the federal Defense of Marriage Act.

As gay rights advocates rallied outside, the court this morning ruled 5-4 against the federal law in what experts are saying is a broad ruling that could doom state laws banning gay marriages. 

The court has not yet ruled on California's Proposition 8, which bans gay marriage in that state. However, until the Supreme Court rules on Prop 8 gay marriages can continue in California, the Huffington Post reports.

The much-anticipated ruling means the federal government must recognize gay marriages in the 12 states in the U.S. that have legalized gay marriages, including in Connecticut. 

"I'm feeling so excited," said Connecticut State Sen. Beth Bye, a West Hartford resident who married Conard history teacher Tracey Wilson in 2006.

On Wednesday morning, Bye was awaiting the decision with friends at the West Hartford home of Beth Kerrigan and Jody Mock – plaintiffs in the Connecticut case that led to the state's legalization of gay marriage. They were watching the Supreme Court's blog projected onto a large screen, because they knew that would be the first place the vote would be posted.

"We got DOMA!" was the message that appeared. "It was so exciting, so emotional," said Bye, her voice cracking. She changed the cover photo on her Facebook site to a photo of the Supreme Court building that shows the message "Equal Justice Under Law."

This morning Bye got dressed in her "Victory" t-shirt, something she said she hasn't worn since she first won election to the legislature, at a time that she was really nervous about running "out."

"I just knew we were going to win. I felt like this country had to be about freedom justice and equality. That's what the country was founded on, and this is a perfect example of all branches of the government working together."

In West Hartford, which Bye said has more gay parents than any other community in the state, acceptance hasn't been a problem. "But this will help other communities," Bye said.

The reaction of Bye and her friends is clearly apparent on the above YouTube video.

Bob Hooper, rector of St. James's Episcopal Church in West Hartford, said he rang the church bells "in recognition of the courts upholding equality" when the decision was announced Wednesday morning. "We are all God's children and equal in God's eyes," Hooper said. "Some things just seem obvious."

We asked the community to comment on the West Hartford Patch Facebook page. "Recognition. That me, my wife and three sons make a family EVERYWHERE," was the message posted by Doreen Stevens. Fiona Czel Mohring simply wrote, "Yeah!!!" and Kendra Riley wrote, "Victory! It's about time. Equality for ALL, not just for some."

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy today also heralded the court's decision as a major advance in equal rights for gays. 

"Although the State of Connecticut has recognized marriage equality for same-sex couples since 2008 ... DOMA prevented these legally married couples from being recognized by the U.S. government, thus being denied a host of rights that are afforded to all other married couples," Malloy said. “Having two different sets of laws for people based solely on their gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, or gender identity is wrong ..."

And Sen. Chris Murphy said in part:

It has often been said that the arc of moral history bends only toward justice, and today, the Supreme Court proved this axiom to be true. The right to marry the person you love should not be denied to anyone based on their sexual orientation, because in the end, all that should matter is the love you have for the person standing on altar beside you."

What's your take on this issue and this decision? Share your thoughts in the comments.