In a press conference at the plaza outside the Arlington Courthouse this afternoon, Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring hailed the U.S. Supreme Court ruling on marriage made across the Potomac Friday. The SCOTUS 5-4 vote has made acceptance of same-sex marriage the law of the land. Herring played a major role by being the first state attorney general in the nation to challenge his own state’s gay marriage ban and won at the district and appeals court levels setting the stage for today’s Supreme Court ruling.
Herring said, “This is an extraordinary moment in our nation’s recognition that Americans cannot and will not be denied dignity, rights and responsibilities, including those of marriage, simply because of who they love. It has been one of the greatest honors of my career to help the Commonwealth lead the nation on this fundamental civil rights issue. Our work to achieve equality and a level playing field for every Virginian is not done. I look forward to making communities safer for LGBT Virginians of all ages. Today’s ruling is a giant step in that direction.”
He said Friday’s decision will stand as an enormous precedent for the removal of all anti-discriminatory laws at all levels, and for the full enfranchisement of an entire class of citizens who have been denied that protection. He urged everyone to read in full Supreme Court Justice Kennedy’s “beautiful” argument for the majority.
