Same-Sex Marriage: These Are The States Affected by SCOTUS Ruling
— -- Before today’s ruling, more than two-thirds of states across the country already backed gay marriage in some manner -- whether through their own laws or because of lower-level court decisions.
But today’s declaration by the Supreme Court means that same-sex marriage is now the law in 13 states that had previously left gay and lesbian couples with no way to marry.
One of those states, Texas, was quick to react to today’s decision. The state’s Republican governor, Greg Abbott, tweeted this: “Marriage was defined by God. No man can redefine it. We will defend our religious liberties.”
Similarly, Louisiana governor Bobby Jindal issued a statement saying the Supreme Court’s ruling “will pave the way for an all out assault against the religious freedom rights of Christians who disagree with this decision."
But Governor Nathan Deal of Georgia, one of the 13 states, said he would accept the high court’s decision.
“While I believe that this issue should be decided by states & legislatures, not the federal judiciary, I also believe in the rule of law,” Deal posted on Twitter. “The state of Georgia is subject to the laws of the United States, and we will follow them.”
Similarly, the attorney general for the state of Ohio, where the case before the Supreme Court began, acquiesced to the court’s decision.
“While Ohio argued that the Supreme Court should let this issue ultimately be decided by the voters, the Court has now made its decision," Mike DeWine said in a statement.
