Supporters of marriage equality celebrate High Court

Hundreds of people gathered in front of the Santa Barbara
courthouse to celebrate the Supreme Court’s decision which paves the
way for same sex couples in California to marry, and give all married
couples equal rights. The Pacific Pride Foundation hosted the rally.
Wednesday.

“It’s so nice to see so many supporters and community members all here
to celebrate,” said Rodney Baker.

Baker proposed to his long time partner Robert Ooley on live
television hours after the court announced its ruling.

“The next step is getting married,” Baker said.

The couple, like so many others, has been waiting years to tie the
knot. After California voters passed proposition 8 five years ago,
banning same sex marriage.

“There was so much grief and despair, and we were prepared for a long
fight, but we didn’t know it would take this long,” said Reverend
Aaron McEmrys, of the Unitarian Society of Santa Barbara.

Supporters of gay marriage have been fighting to overturn the ban ever
since.

“Ultimately in the end run you have to have faith that justice will be
done,” said Ooley.

Many believe the courts decision is just the beginning.

“This represents a sea change, not just for California, but the United
States,” said McEmrys.

Not everyone’s happy with the ruling.

“The Supreme Court of the United States has no authority on the nature
of marriage. The creator who is the source of all our rights,” said Rob Schenk, the Chairman of the Evangelical Church Alliance.

The Court did not rule on whether gay couples have a right to wed.
There are 35 states that ban same-sex marriage.