同性婚姻合法化是美国社会意见分歧最大的课题，最高法院的判决非但不能平息争议，反而引发了更大的分化。反对合法化的保守派纷纷谴责最高法院越权，违反了宪法精神，因为联邦政府不得干预各州的立法权，最高法院以判决的形式，强迫所有州属接受同性婚姻，等同于侵犯了各州代表当地民意的立法权。有共和党总统候选人更呼吁废除最高法院，或者要求修改总统委任大法官的终身制，由人民投票选举取代。

　　当地时间6月26日,美国最高法院作出一项历史性裁决,最高法院的9名大法官以5比4的结果裁定同性婚姻合法,这意味着同性伴侣今后可在全美50个州注册结婚。当天,美国总统奥巴马在白宫玫瑰园发表讲话,盛赞这一判决是“美国的胜利”。

　　Good morning. Our nation was founded on a bedrock principle that we are all created equal. Theproject of each generation is to bridge the meaning of those founding words with the realities ofchanging times -- a never-ending quest to ensure those words ring true for every single American.

　　Progress on this journey often comes in small increments, sometimes two steps forward, one stepback, propelled by the persistent effort of dedicated citizens. And then sometimes, there are dayslike this when that slow, steady effort is rewarded with justice that arrives like a thunderbolt.

　　This morning, the Supreme Court recognized that the Constitution guarantees marriage equality. In doing so, they’ve reaffirmed that all Americans are entitled to the equal protection of the law. That all people should be treated equally, regardless of who they are or who they love.

　　This decision will end the patchwork system we currently have. It will end the uncertaintyhundreds of thousands of same-sex couples face from not knowing whether their marriage,legitimate in the eyes of one state, will remain if they decide to move [to] or even visit another. This ruling will strengthen all of our communities by offering to all loving same-sex couples thedignity of marriage across this great land.

　　In my second inaugural address, I said that if we are truly created equal, then surely the love wecommit to one another must be equal as well. It is gratifying to see that principle enshrined intolaw by this decision.

　　This ruling is a victory for Jim Obergefell and the other plaintiffs in the case. It's a victory for gayand lesbian couples who have fought so long for their basic civil rights. It’s a victory for theirchildren, whose families will now be recognized as equal to any other. It’s a victory for the allies andfriends 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 alreadybelieve in their hearts: When all Americans are treated as equal we are all more free.

　　My administration has been guided by that idea. It’s why we stopped defending the so-calledDefense of Marriage Act, and why we were pleased when the Court finally struck down a centralprovision of that discriminatory law. It’s why we ended “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” From extendingfull marital benefits to federal employees and their spouses, to expanding hospital visitation rightsfor LGBT patients and their loved ones, we’ve made real progress in advancing equality for LGBTAmericans in ways that were unimaginable not too long ago.

　　I know change for many of our LGBT brothers and sisters must have seemed so slow for so long. But compared to so many other issues, America’s shift has been so quick. I know that Americansof goodwill continue to hold a wide range of views on this issue. Opposition in some cases has beenbased on sincere and deeply held beliefs. All of us who welcome today’s news should be mindful ofthat fact; recognize different viewpoints; revere our deep commitment to religious freedom.

　　But today should also give us hope that on the many issues with which we grapple, often painfully,real change is possible. Shifts in hearts and minds is possible. And those who have come so far ontheir journey to equality have a responsibility to reach back and help others join them. Becausefor all our differences, we are one people, stronger together than we could ever be alone. That’salways been our story.

　　We are big and vast and diverse; a nation of people with different backgrounds and beliefs,different experiences and stories, but bound by our shared ideal that no matter who you are orwhat you look like, how you started off, or how and who you love, America is a place where youcan write your own destiny. We are a people who believe that every single child is entitled to lifeand liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

　　There’s so much more work to be done to extend the full promise of America to every American. But today, we can say in no uncertain terms that we’ve made our union a little more perfect.

　　That’s the consequence of a decision from the Supreme Court, but, more importantly, it is aconsequence of the countless small acts of courage of millions of people across decades who stoodup, who came out, who talked to parents -- parents who loved their children no matter what. Folks who were willing to endure bullying and taunts, and stayed strong, and came to believe inthemselves and who they were, and slowly made an entire country realize that love is love.

　　What an extraordinary achievement. What a vindication of the belief that ordinary people can doextraordinary things. What a reminder of what Bobby Kennedy once said about how small actionscan be like pebbles being thrown into a still lake, and ripples of hope cascade outwards and changethe world.

　　Those countless, often anonymous heroes -- they deserve our thanks. They should be veryproud. America should be very proud.

　　Thank you.

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