The U.S. Supreme Court Decision on Marriage Equality, Gift Edition: As Delivered by Justice Anthony Kennedy

“A profound and inspiring opinion expanding human rights across America, and bridging the nation's past to its present . . . Justice Kennedy’s opinion will affect the course of American history, and it will change lives starting now.” —The New York Times   “[This ruling is] a victory for gay and lesbian couples who have fought so long for their basic civil rights. It’s a victory for their children, whose families will now be recognized as equal to any other. It’s a victory for the allies and friends and supporters who spent years, even decades, working and praying for change to come. And this ruling is a victory for America. This decision affirms what millions of Americans already believe in their hearts: When all Americans are treated as equal we are all more free.” —President Barack Obama   “A landmark victory for gay rights.” —The Washington Post   “The Supreme Court’s historic ruling . . . granting gays and lesbians an equal right to marry nationwide puts an exclamation point on a profound shift in law and public attitudes, and creates the most significant and controversial new constitutional liberty in more than a generation.” —Los Angeles Times   “The most important civil rights case in a generation.” —The Guardian