After news broke of the historic California Supreme Court decision to overturn a voter-approved ban on gay marriage Thursday, Hollywood is weighing in on marriage equality.
“I’m thrilled that the California Supreme Court overturned the ban on gay marriage,” Ellen DeGeneres told Access Hollywood. “I can’t wait to get married. We all deserve the same rights and I believe that someday we’ll look back on this and not allowing gays to marry will seem as absurd as not allowing women to vote. P.S., I’m registered at Crate & Barrel.”
Ellen’s girlfriend, Portia de Rossi, also expressed her joy over the court’s decision in a statement released to Access saying, “Love is the most personal of human emotions. I am deeply grateful to the State of California for allowing all of its citizens the right to express their love equally under the law.”
Melissa Etheridge called into “The Billy Bush Show” to express her excitement about the historic ruling. “Happy gay day!” she exclaimed to Billy. “We’re so happy around here. You feel like you’ve been doing something wrong for a long time…and it’s like someone finally said, ‘OK, you’ve actually being doing it right all along.’ You feel validated, you feel hopeful. We’re getting these crazy differences behind us, that’s the happiest thing.”
Rosie O’Donnell posted a photo on her blog of herself and her partner, Kelli Carpenter, kissing on the steps of San Francisco’s city hall with the words “love now legal” appearing next to the photo. The couple was married in San Francisco in February 2004, when Mayor Gavin Newsom began allowing same-sex couples to marry in San Francisco.
“This is a very happy day for California,” Cynthia Nixon of “Sex and The City” said in a statement to Access Hollywood. “I know people there have been fighting a long battle for the legalization of same sex marriage. Americans everywhere should feel proud of this important advance in civil rights.”
Actor Chad Allen also shared his thoughts with Access. “I’m THRILLED with California’s decision to stand up and be counted in the name of equality and the continuing quest for LIBERTY and JUSTICE FOR ALL. The decision by this moderate court was a fair and righteous one that sends a clear message and takes an unquestioned stand for the the state and its citizens best interest. Personally, I am deeply moved and profoundly grateful to finally be treated equally in the eyes of state law,” the actor said.
“I have to say that the depth of my own emotion when I heard the news surprised even me. I think I found it a safe reaction over the years to deny the intensity of even my own desire for to be counted equally in love. The notion of a legally recognized marriage, before God and my fellow Americans, sent a chill down my spine and brought tears to my eyes. I have said many times over the years that you can only tell me my marriage is not equal if you are willing to stand behind the accusation that my love is not equal to yours. To do that means only that you know nothing of my love, for my love is a powerful force which has moved every fiber of my being and changed my very soul. I am proud of my love and I am proud of the State of California today.”
Actor and now Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger also weighed in on the historic decision, despite his past vetoes of gay marriage legislation.
“I respect the Court’s decision and as Governor, I will uphold its ruling,” Governor Schwarzenegger said in a statement. “Also, as I have said in the past, I will not support an amendment to the constitution that would overturn this state Supreme Court ruling.”
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