Celebration, Apprehension Over SCOTUS Ruling On Gay Marriage

Supporters and opponents of same-sex marriage in the Sacramento area are reflecting on the U.S. Supreme Court's historic decision Friday.

Jann Dorothy was among the people at Sacramento's LGBT Community Center as the U.S. Supreme Court announced that same-sex marriage is now a constitutional right.

Dorothy is the President of the Sacramento Stonewall Democratic Club. She says the ruling isn’t just a victory for the LGBT community.

"In our view, it’s a victory for all Americans because this country is founded on the principal of equality for all," says Dorothy. "And until this morning, we have not had that."

Sam Catalano is also a member of Sacramento's LGBT community. He says he's happy about the ruling but concerned about the backlash.

"It’s likely that some people who are upset about this could put up roadblocks just like they did with Roe v. Wade," he says. "Make it difficult for the courts or the county clerks."

One of the people upset about the decision is Randy Thomasson.

"The Constitution was hijacked," he says.

Thomasson is president of SaveCalifornia.com, which describes itself as a pro-family organization. He says the Supreme Court was wrong to apply the 14th Amendment’s equal protection clause to a case about marriage.

"The 14th Amendment is one of three post-civil war amendments," he says. "It’s about race. It’s about giving black former slaves the same legal rights as white free men. It’s not about marriage."

He says the ruling should be ignored by states currently defining marriage as being between one man and one woman.

But for now, people like Shelly Bailes, and her wife Ellen Pontac are celebrating. Bailes says she's been waiting for this moment for 30 years.

"I just can’t stop smiling and I jump up and down a lot," she says.

Shelly Bailes and Ellen Pontac speak in front of a crowd celebrating the U.S. Supreme Court's decision on same-sex marriage. Marnette Federis  /  Capital Public Radio

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