District Judge John E. Jones III's historical ruling Tuesday, overturning Pennsylvania's gay marriage ban, has been stirring headlines across the country. And because it was coupled with a similar ruling in Oregon, this week may have seemed like a whirlwind for gay marriage advocates and opponents alike.
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Here's how media are covering the ruling, and what they are saying across the country in reaction to gay marriage in Pennsylvania:
The Daily Beast, Jay Michaelson:
The cascade of same-sex marriage rulings is now a torrent, each more quotable and image-ready than the last. "Let us look less to the sky to see what might fall; rather, let us look to each other...and rise," district Judge Michael McShane wrote Monday in Oregon. Not to be outdone, district Judge John E. Jones III—a George W. Bush appointee, personally recommended by Rick Santorum—wrote Tuesday in Pennsylvania: "We are a better people than what these [marriage] laws represent, and it is time to discard them into the ash heap of history."
Indeed, after Judge Jones threw out his state's ban, same-sex marriage is now 12-0 in federal courts across the country. But the lofty rhetoric of these decisions and their legal reasoning are a far cry from Justice Anthony Kennedy's opinion in United States v. Windsor, which invalidated the Defense of Marriage Act less than a year ago. As a challenge to a state marriage amendment or law now seems destined to end up at the Supreme Court, probably in the next term, these discrepancies should be cause for concern. (READ MORE)
Washington Post, Niraj Chokshi and Reid Wilson:
Same-sex couples in Pennsylvania began receiving marriage licenses soon after Jones's decision came down. Among the first was Kerry Smith and her partner Rue Landau, the Executive Director of the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations.
"We were the first couple to get the marriage license in Philadelphia," Landau said before heading to a celebratory rally. Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter told the couple he would officiate their wedding, which could take place as soon as next week, Landau said. "This is all happening so fast," she added. (READ MORE, with video)
Bloomberg, Sophia Pearson and Erik Larson:
Several other state cases where bans were struck down have reached federal appellate courts, which may send the issue back to the Supreme Court next year, said Susan Sommer, director of constitutional litigation with the gay-rights advocacy group Lambda Legal.
"We are seeing a steady drumbeat of rulings from federal as well as state courts saying that same-sex couples have the right to marry and to have their marriages respected wherever they live," Sommer said in a phone interview. (READ MORE)
New York Times, Erik Eckholm:
Tuesday's applicants included Ashley Wilson and Lindsay Vandermay, both 29, who said they had been closely watching Twitter for news of the court decision. "As soon as we heard, Ashley started crying and I started screaming," said Ms. Vandermay, a teacher.
As supporters of gay rights celebrated, Archbishop Charles J. Chaput of Philadelphia called it "a mistake with long-term, negative consequences" and urged a quick appeal. Judge Jones, who is based in Harrisburg, Pa., was appointed by President George W. Bush in 2002. (READ MORE)
What media coverage have you seen in the wake of this ruling? Share your links in the comments below.