Abby Wambach kisses wife after World Cup win
A poignant moment that wasn't lost on gay rights supporters
Abby Wambach celebrated the United States' 5-2 victory over Japan in the Women's World Cup final on Sunday, racing to the stands to kiss her wife, Sarah Huffman.
Coming on the heels of the Supreme Court's historic decision to legalize same-sex marriage, the significance of the moment wasn't lost on gay rights supporters watching on television.
On Twitter, many noted how far American culture has come since the last U.S. Women's World Cup victory in 1999.
Sweet photo, post #USWNT victory: @AbbyWambach kisses her wife, now respected nationwide http://t.co/We2DeD89kt pic.twitter.com/71OrRKE0Ug
— Freedom to Marry (@freedomtomarry) July 6, 2015
This Video Of US World Cup Winner Abby Wambach Rushing To Kiss Her Wife Will Warm Your Heart http://t.co/S3gksew0az #topprog #lgbt #USWNT
— Gay Civil Rights (@gaycivilrights) July 6, 2015
I hope younger people GET how huge it is that @AbbyWambach can kiss her wife in the stands on FOXTV and it's no big thing #Progress 🇺🇸⚽️👏👏
— Carolyn Hinsey (@CarolynHinsey) July 6, 2015
Wambach kisses wife on national television and camera doesn't cut away. It zooms in. We've come a long way, folks.
— Brigid Black (@brigidblack) July 6, 2015
ABBY WAMBACH KISSING HER WIFE, A UNION NOW RECOGNIZED THROUGHOUT THE USA, IS A PRETTY NICE ENDING TO THIS WORLD CUP https://t.co/1nfhQxGY38
— Ellie Hall (@ellievhall) July 6, 2015
How cool was Abby jumping into the stands to kiss her wife in front of millions on national TV? It's been a good few weeks. #PRIDE
— Abe Asher (@abe_asher) July 6, 2015
Abby Wambach kissed her wife after winning the World Cup and the whole bar went, "awwwwwww". How far we have come!
— Anne-Marije Rook (@amrook) July 6, 2015
ICYMI: That beautiful moment when @AbbyWambach sprints to find her wife after winning the #WWC2015 http://t.co/wyZ1hl6xUs via @sbnation
— Anna Aagenes (@AnnaLinaAagenes) July 6, 2015
Twitter's reaction to the U.S. win over Japan wasn't entirely beautiful, however. As the United States built a 4-0 lead following a flurry of first-half goals, some users mockingly suggested the barrage was payback for Japan's 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor, and the term "Pearl Harbor" soon began trending on Twitter.
That 4th one was for Pearl Harbor. #USA
— TA (@TaylorDTTT) July 5, 2015
Japan wishing they never bombed Pearl Harbor right about now...
— Joe Head (@JoeHeadTV) July 5, 2015
Pearl Harbor is trending. This is why we can't have nice things.
— Hemant Mehta (@hemantmehta) July 6, 2015
of course pearl harbor is trending now. did you think we could get through an international sporting event without being racist
— Churlish (@Cryptoterra) July 5, 2015