Locals React: DOMA Overturned by U.S. Supreme Court

A narrow 5-4 decision by the Supreme Court of the United States has made it unconstitutional to allow a federal ban on same-sex marriage.

The Huffington Post reports: "The federal statute is invalid, for no legitimate purpose overcomes the purpose and effect to disparage and to injure those whom the State, by its marriage laws, sought to protect in personhood and dignity," Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote in the majority opinion. "By seeking to displace this protection and treating those persons as living in marriages less respected than others, the federal statute is in violation of the Fifth Amendment."

The bi-partisan passing of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) in 1996 was defended by dissenting Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Antonin Scalia, Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas.

Said Briarcliff Manor resident Nick Oddo, who married his partner John Parks in 2011 after the State of New York legalized same-sex marriage, "I'm thrilled these two changes happened today," also referencing the Supreme Court dismissal of California's Proposition 8.

"It was a good decision to get married in New York," Oddo shared. "New York was an important shift to get the ball rolling.

In Tarrytown, Christ Episcopal Church has been openly supportive of gay rights and its pastor was thrilled to hear the news today.

"I have to change the sermon I'm working on now," said Rev. Susan Copley.

U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D—NY) reacted to the news today in a statement: "Today is a historic day for our country on its long march towards upholding the fundamental values this country was founded upon of fairness, equality and justice. I am overjoyed the Supreme Court has ruled to end the discrimination that had been enshrined into U.S. law."

Village of Ossining Mayor Bill Hanauer, who is openly gay, noted, "It's a time in coming for those of us having been around for many years, active in the movement to further civil rights for everybody—for those with disabilities, for minorities, for women, for gays—to have finally achieved something that is a landmark," he said.

On Pleasantville-Briarcliff Manor Patch's Facebook page, Drew Burrows commented, "It's bout time."

Oddo added he hopes today's actions will provide hope for younger generations of gays.

"I'm really excited for the youth of our nation," he shared. "Teen suicide is always a big issue, especially in the gay and lesbian community."

However, advocates say there is still work to be done.

"It's going to be a lot more work," Oddo said, though he's more optimistic now that the shift is imminent.

"I will definitely see it in my lifetime," he said. "It doesn't seem like something that would never happen anymore."

U.S. Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-Westchester), said in a statement, "While today’s decision is an important and historic victory, the fight for true equality will continue until all men and women have equal protection and are free to marry whomever they love, regardless of what state they call home."