Palmer-Forks Reacts to Gay Marriage Ruling

Reported by Mary Ellen Alu and Dino Ciliberti

Palmer and Forks Township residents offered mixed reactions to Wednesday's highly awaited U.S. Supreme Court rulings striking down the Defense of Marriage Act and Proposition 8, and expanding gay rights and paving the way for same-sex marriage in California.

"The Supreme Court finally got something right," said Tracee French.

At issue was the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which prohibited same-sex couples legally married in their states from sharing in each other’s federal marriage benefits. 

In its landmark 5-4 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled DOMA to be unconstitutional. This opens the way for same-sex couples to file joint tax returns, for example, and file for Social Security survivor benefits.

Also at issue was the constitutionality of California’s Proposition, the 2008 ballot measure that banned same-sex marriage.  The high court ruled that the same-sex marriage opponents did not have the constitutional standing to appeal a lower-court ruling that had overturned the law.

Reaction was swift.

"It's truly a historic day," said Adrian Shanker, president of Equality PA and a Bethlehem resident.

Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pennsylvania tweeted:  "Glad #SCOTUS made the right decision on #DOMA to strengthen equal rights for all.

Shanker, however, expressed a cautious sense of victory. He noted the high court stopped short of making a ruling that would have created a constitutional right to marry.

"It's important to remember that while these rulings are very positive...we still have much more work to do to be fully equal," he said.

Shanker said that LGBT equality is about more than just marriage, but the rulings, especially on DOMA, were a good jumping off point. 

Shanker said the Proposition 8 decision could affect people in Pennsylvania, as same sex couples in the state had chosen to get married in California.

"To be honest, my mind right now is an interesting emotional place," he said.

He and his husband married in Connecticut earlier this year, and are waiting to see how the DOMA ruling will affect them. A lot of couples will be doing the same, Shanker said. 

There are still questions to be answered, and more legislation to be passed.

"This is not a done deal," he said, "but it's certainly a landmark day."

President Barack Obama tweeted: 

"Today's DOMA ruling is a historic step forward for #MarriageEquality. #LoveIsLove"

Couples celebrated outside the U.S. Supreme Court building. 

The rulings reflect shifting opinions in the country on same sex marriage.

Where do you stand on the issue? Do you agree or disagree with the U.S. Supreme Court's rulings?