FILE/USA: Madonna, Lady Gaga react to Supreme Court's gay marriage decisions

Record ID: 277900

  • Title: FILE/USA: Madonna, Lady Gaga react to Supreme Court's gay marriage decisions
  • Date: 27th June 2013
  • Summary: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES (FILE) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF TELEVISION PERSONALITY ELLEN DEGENERES WITH PARTNER, ACTRESS PORTIA DE ROSSI
  • Embargoed: 12th July 2013 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Usa
  • Country: USA
  • Topics: Arts
  • Reuters ID: LVAAIC9H4C2S1JFOC8S8S08OMYTJ
  • Story Text: Celebrities released statements and took to Twitter celebrating the U.S. Supreme Court's decisions on same-sex marriage on Wednesday (June 26).
    The Supreme Court affirmed on Wednesday a lower court ruling that struck down California's voter-approved ban on gay marriage. The state would become the United States' 13th state to legalize same-sex marriage.
    The country's highest court also struck down a key part of a the federal law, Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), that denied benefits to same-sex married couples.
    The Supreme Court's rulings reverberated in Hollywood, where some of the entertainment industry's most prominent personalities advocate gay rights.
    Comedienne and talk show host Ellen DeGeneres, an early gay rights advocate, tweeted after the ruling on Wednesday, "It's a supremely wonderful day for equality. Prop 8 is over, and so is DOMA. Congratulations everyone. And I mean everyone."
    DeGeneres was one of the first stars to publicly say she was a lesbian, exploring the topic on her TV comedy series "Ellen" in the late 1990s. She is married to actress Portia de Rossi.
    Rocker Melissa Etheridge announced plans to marry partner Linda Wallem after the rulings paved the way for gay marriage in California, the couple's home state.
    Etheridge, 52, came out in 1993 and was an early and prominent gay rights advocate in the entertainment industry. Wallem, 52, is a creator and executive producer on the cable television series "Nurse Jackie."
    Hollywood power couple Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have said in the past that they would not get married until gay couples could as well.
    In a statement, Madonna talked about the great news she received Wednesday upon awakening. "What a way to start my day!! I'm wearing a smile from ear to ear. There is a G-D! Justice is served. Hallelujah!"

    "We stand tall today. #DomaStruckDown So many fought for so long. Be proud, the prejudice are now the minority," singer and prominent gay rights supporter Lady Gaga wrote to her more than 38 million Twitter followers.

    "Big news from the Supreme Court. Goodbye #DOMA #Prop8. Hello #equality," tweeted Ben Affleck, the director and star of Oscar-winning film "Argo," while actor Leonardo DiCaprio tweeted the decision was a "historic day."
    Singer Cyndi Lauper, whose True Colors Fund promotes gay rights and addresses homelessness in the gay and lesbian community, said, "Both of these decisions not only impact the lives of gay couples, but of gay and transgender youth who struggle to find acceptance from their family and friends."
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