The news that the 9th Circuit Court of Appeal had ruled Proposition 8 unconstitutional had gay and lesbian political activists, media figures and celebrities celebrating another big win for marriage equality.
HuffPost Gay Voices spoke to a few who reacted to the news:
Rosie O'Donnell
"I"m happy. I feel like we're close to having equal rights. I think the shift has happened. On we grow."
Designer John Bartlett
"I am thrilled by the decision. We are on the threshold of a very exciting time in the arena of civil rights. Growing up, I had no hope or inclination to ever be perceived as equal. I didn't think it was a possibility.
"Now I can envision a glimmer of what the future holds and it speaks to a time when all individuals will share the same rights to express love and protect their families, as they define them.
"I continue to be astonished at the religious argument for denying a person the right to marry based on sexual persuasion. nothing could be further from the basic tenets of a spiritually evolved culture."
Activist and author David Mixner
"This has been a long struggle filled with pain, tears and at times defeat. At long last we are finally seeing the light of victory and it sure and hell feels great. We have a long way to go but I am going to savior every possible second of this magnificent victory!"
Clarke Cooper, executive director, Log Cabin Republicans
"In a time when conservatives agree that the institution of marriage is in need of support, Republicans should celebrate gay and lesbian Americans embracing the ideals of marriage and creating families. Governor Romney's comments attacking the court for striking down Proposition 8 reflect an unfortunate knee-jerk opposition to expanding liberty and a poorly calculated political effort to appeal to a shrinking base of primary voters opposed to marriage equality.
"The Supreme Court has repeatedly held that marriage is one of the most fundamental rights Americans have under our Constitution, found in the Constitutional protections of liberty, privacy and equal protection. While politically more Americans are supportive of that fundamental right for all citizens, it is the Court's job to uphold these constitutional promises, and today the Ninth Circuit did so -- no more and no less."
Actor and playwright Harvey Fierstein
"To tell you the truth, I've just sat down at the computer for the first time today. But the thing I will read first is the dissenting judge's opinion. I am so curious to know how anyone can reason that out. Anyway, a comment????? How about a simple comment to those fighting against us? KEEP YOUR HOLY MATRIMONY. I ONLY WANT TO GET MARRIED."
Evan Wolfson, founder and president of Freedom to Marry
"I think people remember why we have courts and why we have constitutions. It's because sometimes politicians have it wrong and sometimes even majorities can be swayed or impassioned or prejudiced or make mistakes. So we have a Constitution that says basic freedoms belong to every one of us -- the freedom of religion, the freedom of speech, the freedom to marry -- and they act as a safeguard on some of the other parts of the system that sometimes get it wrong.
"Court rulings like this add to the public understanding. But we have to turn that into political action. We have to win more states. We're under attack in two more states already this year, Minnesota and North Carolina, where Prop 8-type anti-gay amendments are being pushed forward. We have to organize and fight against those We can't just rely on general understanding or just rely on the courts. And then there are states where we can win the freedom to marry this year, whether in Maine, or in Washington state. There are tremendous opportunities to build on our momentum, all of which will maximize our chances at the Supreme Court, whether this case or another one gets there."
Thomas Roberts, MSNBC news anchor
"This a step in the right direction for equality. I think when you witness this, and you know where people stand on the right side of history, you see the way that this is going. And while it’s going to be a slog to get it done, you see it's going to happen. It's fascinating to see the wheels of justice at work. It's unfortunate that it has to be like going through a strainer to get this done, but I think that all of us can all witness what eventually is going to happen, that [Prop 8] will be deemed unconstitutional."
Tabatha Coffey of Bravo's "Tabatha Takes Over"
"It's about time!"