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Utahns respond to court ruling on gay marriage:
"The ACLU of Utah joins millions of colleagues, allies and loved ones all over the country today in celebrating a momentous win for freedom, equality, inclusion and above all, love, as the U.S. Supreme Court affirmed that same-sex couples have a constitutional right to legal recognition through marriage. This ruling will bring joy to families, as well as final nationwide victory to the decades-long Freedom to Marry movement."
— The ACLU of Utah
"Today's ruling is a transformative triumph decades in the making, a momentous victory for freedom, equality, inclusion, and above all, love. For anyone who ever doubted that we could bend the arc of the moral universe toward justice, today the United States again took a giant step toward the more perfect union we the people aspire to. Today the Liberty Bell rings alongside wedding bells across an ocean of joy."
— Evan Wolfson, president of Freedom to Marry
"The Utah Pride Center is thrilled with the Supreme Court decision granting full marriage equality across the United States. Strong families are a hallmark value of our state, and this ruling provides constitutional clarity that the rights of individuals and of LGBTQ families are protected by the same ideals for which our country's founders fought. While Utah LGBTQ couples have had full equal rights within the state, they can now travel or move across the entirety of their country knowing their status doesn't change by crossing a border, that they are equal everywhere they go."
— Utah Pride Center
"Throughout this case, the State made its best arguments to allow decisions about the fundamental nature of marriage to be decided through the democratic process and at the state level, avoiding a situation similar to Roe v. Wade from a generation ago. We understand many are thrilled with today's outcome and many are equally disappointed. Regardless of one's opinion of the ruling, the High Court has provided the guidance our office and the citizens of Utah and this nation have sought for several years. Advocacy on both sides helped bring us to this point of resolution. While people of goodwill on all sides of this issue have been at times divided and conflicted, we have an opportunity to come together again as equal citizens of this great state and nation."
— Sean Reyes, Utah Attorney General
"Today five Justices took a vital question about the future of American society out of the public square, imposing the views of five unelected judges on a country that is still in the midst of making up its mind about marriage. That is unfortunate, but it is not the end of the discussion, as Americans of good faith who believe that marriage is the union of a man and a woman will continue to live as witnesses to that truth."
— Mike Lee, Senator, R-Utah
"While I disagree with the Supreme Court's decision to redefine the institution of marriage for every state, we must respect the court's ruling. I continue to believe that marriage between one man and one woman remains the most successful social institution in history."
— Jason Chaffetz, Representative, R-Utah
"Marriage, as defined by the people of Utah, has been redefined, first by the federal courts and today the outcome of that decision has been upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court. I am disappointed with the decision by the court to usurp state authority and overrule the voice of the people of Utah as demonstrated by legislation with regard to marriage. I am also very concerned with the overwhelming trend to diminish state autonomy. I believe states should have the right to determine their own laws regarding marriage. Clearly, the majority of the justices disagree and their decision provides finality with respect to the law."
—Gary Herbert, Utah governor
"This is a historic day for our country, the state of Utah and our community as the Supreme Court appropriately extends the right of marriage to every loving couple across the land. The joy we are feeling in Salt Lake City is palpable and I am personally grateful for this incredible affirmation of our civil rights and the elimination of the contrived legal barriers that have unnecessarily divided us in the past. This moment brigs to mind Martin Luther King's immortal words, 'The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bend toward justice.' "
—Ralph Becker, Salt Lake City mayor
"In light of today's ruling by the Supreme Court to legalize same-sex marriage, we must remember to treat each other with kindness and love. I personally believe that marriage is best defined between one man and one woman and I wish that the courts would have deferred to the states on this divisive issue. Moving forward, we must now work to protect the rights guaranteed in the First Amendment respecting the establishment of religion and allowing the free exercise thereof."
— Chris Stewart, Representative, R-Utah
"This is an historic day for equality in the United States. Our country has marched toward equality for all human beings throughout its history and this represents one more step in that march. We hope that those who disagree will come to recognize the results of this decision as an important recognition of the rights of others, and not an attack on their beliefs. Unfortunately, we are not yet living in a "post-racial world" and it will be some time before we are living in a "post-orientation" world but we look forward to that day and hope that all Americans will work together toward that day."
— Josh Kanter, Founder & Board President, Alliance for a Better UTAH
"Today's Supreme Court ruling is a great thing. It is the culmination of the work of many U.S. federal district and circuit court judges over many years. These judges have struggled to reconcile the difficult legal and Constitutional issues same sex marriage presents to our country. We know this has been a divisive issue. And we recognize that each individual has the right to their own moral and religious beliefs regarding same sex marriage. But we welcome this ruling because it makes clear that discrimination based on sexual orientation is not acceptable under the Constitution and that families of all types are entitled to protection under the law. All people are created equal in this country and they deserve equal rights. As such, today's ruling is a tremendous legal victory for not just the LGBTQ community but for all of us. The finality this ruling brings to this legal issue will help us move forward as a more united society."
— Brian King, Utah House Democratic leader
"I am pleased and happy that our nation's highest court has ruled on marriage equality. As Justice Kennedy stated in his opinion, 'The right of same-sex couples to marry is derived from the Fourteenth Amendment's guarantee of equal protection.' This decision enshrines what I've long believed — that all families should be treated equally under the law. Today's decision is a milestone but the end of the search for common ground, mutual respect and understanding among Utah's many diverse communities."
— Ben McAdams, Salt Lake County mayor