"Today we celebrate, tomorrow we work," Says Gay Advocate

By Brittini Ray

Local lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender (LGBT) groups convened at the University of Georgia's Episcopal Center to celebrate the U.S. Supreme Court's decision on the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).

"I'm pretty excited about the decision," Amber Braatz, a university student, said. "I think it's the beginning of a great process and it's a step in the right direction. I hope that one day I can get married in the state of Georgia and it's not just a part of DOMA overturned but the whole act itself."

Members of the LGBT community rejoiced at the Supreme Court’s decision, waving rainbow flags during the meeting.

“Today was a call for action,” Melinda Sheldon, Deputy of Georgia Equality said. “ I just want to say thank you for living your lives. That’s activism.”

Despite the festivities, community leaders encouraged attendees to celebrate conditionally, cautioning that the “fight was not over.”

“Although today was a victory, we still have a lot of work,” Sheldon said.

Leaders discussed how the court’s decision to strike down section three of DOMA would affect Georgia citizens.  Attendees discussed the Fair Employment Practices Act and other sexual orientation-related legislation.

“Today we celebrate,” Deirdre Kane, Chair of GLOBES at UGA, said. “Tomorrow we get back to work. We do this because we have to and we do it one at a time.”

Georgia Equality board of directors member and UGA honors program advisor Ericka “Ricky” Roberts performed at the meeting.

“We’re all a bunch of homos—homo sapiens,” Roberts rapped.  “So why don’t you stop all the hate and try to express some love.