Groups Quick To Weigh In On Same Sex Ruling

Following are various statements concerning today’s Supreme Court Ruling

JACKSON—Gov. Phil Bryant issues the following statement on the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Obergefell et al v. Hodges et al:

“Throughout history, states have had the authority to regulate marriage within their borders. Today, a federal court has usurped that right to self-governance and has mandated that states must comply with federal marriage standards—standards that are out of step with the wishes of many in the United States and that are certainly out of step with the majority of Mississippians.”

JACKSON, Miss – The following is a statement from American Civil Liberties Union of Mississippi Executive Director Jennifer Riley-Collins on the Supreme Court of the United States’ ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges:

“Today’s historic Supreme Court ruling means same-sex couples will soon have the freedom to marry and equal respect for their marriages across America. This ruling will bring joy to families, and final nationwide victory to the decades-long freedom to marry movement. This is a momentous win for freedom, equality, inclusion, and above all, love. We can celebrate that ours is a country that keeps its promise of the pursuit of happiness, liberty, and justice for all.

“Same-sex couples and their families have waited long enough. We hope state officials move swiftly to implement the Constitution’s command.

“Our movement must harness the momentum from the marriage conversation to the work of securing additional advances towards equality, especially nondiscrimination protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans. LGBT people in Mississippi can still be fired from their jobs, evicted from their homes, and denied service in restaurants and shops simply for being who they are.”

Speaker Philip Gunn Statement on U.S. Supreme Court Decision in Obergefell v. Hodges:

Jackson, MS—Speaker of the House Philip Gunn today responded to the decision handed down by the Supreme Court of the United States of America regarding same-sex marriage.

“The United States Supreme Court has once again overstepped its bounds,” said Speaker of the House Philip Gunn. “As Chief Justice Roberts said in his dissent, ‘The majority’s decision is an act of will, not of legal judgment.’

“As Christians, we are to speak the truth in love,” continued Speaker Gunn. “But we are not to shy away from speaking the truth, even though the truth may be unpopular or not embraced by the culture around us. This decision is in direct conflict with God’s design for marriage as set forth in the Bible. The threat of this decision to religious liberty is very clear. I pledge to protect the rights of Christian citizens to teach and operate on the basis of Christian conviction. “

Marriage Equality Comes to the Magnolia State

JACKSON – In a sweeping and historic 5-4 ruling, today the Supreme Court of the United States found bans on marriage equality to be unconstitutional, bringing the fundamental right to marry to hundreds of loving and committed same-sex couples in the Magnolia State. In celebration of the victory, HRC Mississippi will be joined by other local advocacy groups for rallies and community events in Jackson, Hattiesburg and Tupelo.

The majority opinion, authored by Justice Anthony Kennedy, represents a clear mandate for Governor Phil Bryant, Attorney General Jim Hood, and officials all over the state of Mississippi, to cease their attempts to uphold these discriminatory statutes and start issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

“This historic ruling makes it perfectly clear that there is no legal or moral justification for standing in the path of marriage equality,” said HRC Mississippi State Director Rob Hill. “We call on Governor Bryant to immediately make the institution of marriage accessible to same sex couples in Mississippi and ensure that the ruling is fully implemented at every level.”

While this historic victory is a key step forward for achieving equal dreams in the Magnolia State, the fight for full equality in the South is far from over. As we move forward, HRC Mississippi will continue working to guarantee that the lived experience of LGBT people in Mississippi does not suffer as a result of this ruling, but is made richer and more fulfilled.

HRC President Chad Griffin added, “Today’s ruling makes perfectly clear that there is no legal or moral justification for standing in the path of marriage equality. Couples from Mississippi to North Dakota to Texas shouldn’t have to wait even a moment longer to be treated equally under the law. But what’s clear today is that our work isn’t done until every discriminatory law in this nation is wiped away. The time has come in this country for comprehensive federal LGBT non-discrimination protections. We now have to work harder than ever before to make sure LGBT Americans cannot be fired, evicted or denied services simply on the basis of the marriage license that they fought so hard to achieve.”

On April 28, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Obergefell v. Hodges, a case originating in Ohio. In January, the Supreme Court announced that it would hear Obergefell along with three other cases from Michigan, Kentucky and Tennessee.  The arguments were consolidated under the name Obergefell, and the questions posed by the court dealt with the constitutionality of marriage bans more broadly. Prior to today’s decision, marriage equality had come to 37 states as well as the District of Columbia – representing more than 70 percent of the U.S. population.

HRC Mississippi is working to advance equality for LGBT Mississippians who have no state or municipal level protections in housing, workplace, or public accommodations; legal state recognition for their relationships and families; state rights to jointly adopt children; and state protections from hate crimes. HRC Mississippi works to realize a future where everyone is treated fairly by changing hearts, minds and laws.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., today issued the following statement regarding the Supreme Court’s decision on Obergefell v. Hodges:
“I have always believed that marriage should be between a man and a woman, a belief shared by many Americans. There are people who hold strong views on both sides of this issue, and reasonable people can respectfully disagree. I will continue to work to protect the First Amendment rights of those who, based on their religious convictions, oppose same-sex marriage.”

Wicker is a cosponsor of the “First Amendment Defense Act,” which would prevent the federal government from discriminating against any individual or institution that defines marriage as a union of one man and one woman. It would also bar the government from denying any federal grants, contracts, licenses, or tax exemptions from individuals or groups based on their beliefs.