I cried when I read the news. Happy tears for friends whose unions are now officially recognized in all 50 states. Some were legally married in their respective states, but could now claim to be ‘legit’ wherever they go. The Supreme Court ruled by a 5 to 4 margin that same sex couples would be afforded the same rights as married heterosexual couples.

Justice Kennedy wrote for the majority that included Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Stephen G. Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan, as he said “”No union is more profound than marriage, for it embodies the highest ideals of love, fidelity, devotion, sacrifice and family, In forming a marital union, two people become something greater than they once were.”

I can only imagine the sheer joy that those who had been denied the acknowledgment of the emotional commitment  they had made, could be feeling at the moment. Consider the dilemma of loving someone so intensely that you choose to formalize the connection and then to have the desire looked at askance. Envision then being able to freely and fully proclaim that you and  your partner have blended your hearts and lives.

What has always puzzled me is why anyone could feel they had the right to deny the same opportunities based on the ‘plumbing’ rather than the people in the partnership. For those who question; imagine if heterosexual privilege were not in place and only same sex couples could marry, adopt children, make health care decisions for their spouse and receive medical benefits granted heterosexual partners. Further, consider that only same sex couples were considered the ‘norm’ and could walk down the street holding hands. Imagine that heterosexual people were viewed as the oddity and therefore shunned by their families and in danger of assault. Not a pretty picture.

I am gratified to have witnessed such a monumental change in my lifetime. Long may these partners live and love!