The Supreme Court's ruling that the Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional inspired people of all sexual orientations to take to the streets in celebration. Outside the Stonewall Inn, where riots in 1969 helped spark the gay rights movement, thousands gathered to enjoy the moment in the West Village.
Edie Windsor, the 84-year-old widow who was the plaintiff in the lawsuit, was there, and gave the speech she made earlier in the day celebrating this victory (a bittersweet one, since it was over her late wife's estate). As she left the stage, she said wistfully to people near her, "I don't want to leave."
However, the joyful energy was tempered by the Supreme Court's Tuesday decision to strike down parts of the Voting Rights Act. Rev. Joseph Tolton of Rehoboth Congregation in Harlem told the crowd, "None of us are free until all of us are free," and Rep. Jerry Nadler also said, "Yesterday was depressing, today is elating."
With reporting from Marc Yearsley
