June 26 was a monumental day in the history of those fighting for equal protection under the law. In the case of the United States vs. Windsor, the Supreme Court ruled Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act was unconstitutional.
The response on Twitter was overwhelming. Hashtags such as #DOMA, #loveislove, #SCOTUS and #equality rapidly became the highest trending topics on the site. Elected officials — current and former — also took to their 140 characters, pledging their support, and in very rare cases, to express their disappointment at this landmark ruling.
RT if you agree: We’re all created equal—and the love we commit to one another must be equal as well. pic.twitter.com/MYrCnEPiFI
— The White House (@whitehouse) June 26, 2013
Proud to be a .@Mariners fan as they will become first @MLB team to fly #Pride flag at a game…via.@SeattleOutProud http://t.co/HQi0VYS4AA
— Rep. Adam Smith (@Rep_Adam_Smith) June 26, 2013
I believe the Supreme Court’s ruling on #DOMA was a critical step in strengthening equal rights for all. – http://t.co/vLQ4ydrsD2
— Senator Bob Casey (@SenBobCasey) June 26, 2013
Supreme Court #DOMA ruling is tremendous victory for everyone who believes in liberty, justice for all! MORE: http://t.co/OWRLPu8S2V
— Mike Quigley (@RepMikeQuigley) June 26, 2013
Some openly gay members of Congress also expressed their happiness at the SCOTUS ruling, as did their supporters.
After raising 3 beautiful children with my partner of 21 years, the Supreme Court has finally recognized us as a family #SCOTUS #Equality — Sean Patrick Maloney (@RepSeanMaloney) June 26, 2013
A step forward for the freedom to love & progress for our country where everyone is created equal under the law. -TB #MarriageEquality — Sen. Tammy Baldwin (@SenatorBaldwin) June 26, 2013
Love wins.
— Mark Takano (@RepMarkTakano) June 26, 2013
Top department heads also expressed their commitment to supporting the DOMA takedown. Chuck Hagel, defense secretary, said in a statement DOD plans to make the same benefits available to all its military spouses, regardless of sexual orientation.
Attorney General Eric Holder also issued a statement regarding the SCOTUS ruling, saying “as we move forward in a manner consistent with the court’s ruling, the Department of Justice is committed to continuing this work, and using every tool and legal authority available to us to combat discrimination and to safeguard the rights of all Americans.”
Dissenters of the ruling who took to Twitter were few, but among them was former Arkansas governor, Mike Huckabee.
5 people in robes said they are bigger than the voters of CA and Congress combined.And bigger than God.May He forgive us all.
— Gov. Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) June 26, 2013
Most other elected officials in support of DOMA opted not to speak out over Twitter.
Overall, response in the Twittersphere was tremendously positive.
Marriage is a prvt institut’n that gov shouldn’t define. To millions of Americans, it’s also a religious sacrmnt that needs no gov approval.
— Justin Amash (@repjustinamash) June 26, 2013
Today’s decisions are a great step forward for #MarriageEquality. Grateful to all who fought tirelessly for this day. http://t.co/ibGcduTWvs
— Bill Clinton (@billclinton) June 26, 2013
$2.3 MILLION: Number of tax-payer dollars wasted by @GOPConference to defend discrimintation against #LGBT Americans. #DOMA #SCOTUS— House Democrats (@HouseDemocrats) June 26, 2013
