For married gay couples, court ruling is 'remarkable,' 'amazing,' and 'finally justice'
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Couples react to gay marriage decisions
(Photo © Joanna Chau) The Supreme Court decision repealing DOMA was monumental to both of us. We were together watching the updates on the SCOTUS blog and the minute we saw that DOMA was officially struck down, we couldn't help but screaming and crying of happiness. The first thing I told Daniel was that now we are going to see his family in Mexico and plan our lives the way we want with no obstacles and discrimination from our government. He called his mom and his sister, and our friends were calling us to congratulate us for the big victory. It was an unforgettable moment.
Our lives have been on hold for way too long and with this decision from the court, we can finally begin to plan our future together as a married couple. We no longer have to live in fear of being torn apart and separated because of this awful law. We can begin our path to a life full of opportunity in which we can realize all the dreams and promises we made to each other when we got married. Immigration will be able to schedule an interview with us now that DOMA is no longer in the way.
Daniel will be able to get a work permit and start to earn a living and will have access to health care and Social Security benefits. We will no longer go to bed at night worried and fearful of what lies ahead for us. We will now go to bed dreaming about the bright road that stands in front of us—a road we are looking forward to travelling together where our families will unite and finally meet, where our travel plans to see the world will be realized and where the prospect of creating our own family awaits us in the horizon.
There is no doubt that it is a big day not only for Daniel and me but for thousands of families that will be able to come home and will be able to stay together. The repeal of DOMA is a big win for all families. It will bring us closer as a nation, as a more perfect union. History was made on Wednesday, and we are so grateful to have been part of such an important time in our country’s history. The road ahead still presents its challenges as there are still 37 states that do not recognize gay marriage. This is the beginning of a new chapter in America. We will continue to fight until all states in our union bring equality to all.
—Yohandel Ruiz, left, and Daniel Zavala, married May 1, 2012, in Washington, D.C.
Our lives have been on hold for way too long and with this decision from the court, we can finally begin to plan our future together as a married couple. We no longer have to live in fear of being torn apart and separated because of this awful law. We can begin our path to a life full of opportunity in which we can realize all the dreams and promises we made to each other when we got married. Immigration will be able to schedule an interview with us now that DOMA is no longer in the way.
Daniel will be able to get a work permit and start to earn a living and will have access to health care and Social Security benefits. We will no longer go to bed at night worried and fearful of what lies ahead for us. We will now go to bed dreaming about the bright road that stands in front of us—a road we are looking forward to travelling together where our families will unite and finally meet, where our travel plans to see the world will be realized and where the prospect of creating our own family awaits us in the horizon.
There is no doubt that it is a big day not only for Daniel and me but for thousands of families that will be able to come home and will be able to stay together. The repeal of DOMA is a big win for all families. It will bring us closer as a nation, as a more perfect union. History was made on Wednesday, and we are so grateful to have been part of such an important time in our country’s history. The road ahead still presents its challenges as there are still 37 states that do not recognize gay marriage. This is the beginning of a new chapter in America. We will continue to fight until all states in our union bring equality to all.
—Yohandel Ruiz, left, and Daniel Zavala, married May 1, 2012, in Washington, D.C.
© Joanna Chau
Yahoo News invited gay married couples to respond to Wednesday's Supreme Court rulings on the Defense of Marriage Act and California's Proposition 8. Here, in their words and alongside their wedding photos, are their reactions. —Tim Skillern
