The sweeping decisions on the Defense of Marriage Act and Proposition 8 by the U.S. Supreme Court caused rallies of support across the country on Wednesday. Several hundred people celebrating the ruling gathered at the Bexar County Courthouse.
Activists and other people of all ages holding both rainbow and American flags, and a sign that said "love is love" flooded in front of the courthouse to cheer on the rulings of the Supreme Court. Many of those attending had smiles on their faces, adding to the mood of victory as they danced.
Jay Morris a state lead for Get Equal Texas and said the rulings were more symbolic for the Lone Star State.
"Texas still bans same-sex unions and doesn’t even have anything close to marriage equality. But it is a feeling of being on top of the mountain now -- we can get there," Morris said.
Roxanne Henkin and Mary-Lou Daugherty were married in Canada on their 30th anniversary. Since Texas doesn’t recognize their marriage they’re grateful for the federal benefits they receive but said the fight to get here couldn’t have happened without the help.
"I think we’ve reach this point -- and we've waited such a long time for it -- because we’ve had straight people come and be our allies," said Henkin. "The more people know couples like us and people like us, the more they see we’re just trying to get equal rights."
"We need people to speak up," Daughtery replied.
Although the court paved the way for federal recognition, Carlos Soto shared the thoughts of many saying the fight is not over until all fifty states accept same-sex marriage.
"For the past eight years being involved in the journey we’ve been through, the 40 years that people who did not live to see this day, it just means to me tears of joy and happiness and what more work we’re going to do but at least it’s a stepping stone to the right direction," Soto said.
