Locals react to same-sex marriage ruling

A day that will go down in history. The U.S. Supreme Court has officially made gay marriage legal nationwide. Gay and lesbian couples were already allowed to marry in 36 states and the District of Columbia but now, all remaining states will have to stop enforcing bans on same-sex marriage. 47 ABC spoke with the Cutler family who is ecstatic over the news.

Debbie Cutler tells 47 ABC, “It’s a great day, love is love and I think the Supreme Court showed that today.”

This October, Lynda and Debbie Cutler will have been together for 9 years. In that time, they agreed they would not go outside of Delaware to get married in a state where same-sex marriage was already legal. They would wait until Delaware came around, and when it did in 2013, they made it official.

Debbie tells 47 ABC, “This is not something we thought we would ever see in our lifetime. It’s real, it’s legal, it’s civil rights, and it’s amazing.”

Lynda tells 47 ABC, “We’re married and it’s not just because the government says it’s ok we’d be married and together without this day but this day just makes it so much more special.”

Lynda’s 26 year old biological daughter Casey is also thrilled about today’s rulings. Back in 2011, Casey went before the state house to testify on her mom’s behalf, pushing for equal rights after a harrowing ordeal in 2006. Casey was in the hospital waiting for an emergency surgery and her mother was two hours away. But nurses wouldn’t let Debbie in to see her.

Casey tells 47 ABC, “I couldn’t imagine not having that right and other kids not having that right who have who have grown up with that parent.”

She got that right and Friday gay and lesbian Americans and their families got more.

Casey tells 47 ABC, “That’s why I’m happy, today’s a really good day, today’s a really good day.”

Despite the news, the Cutler family still have concerns.

Lynda tells 47 ABC, “I think our worry still is is it over yet? I just hope that the world will focus on whoever they love and live that to the fullest. I think the most important thing for us is we’ve built a family, I mean, I don’t love Debbie anymore today than I did yesterday I love her forever.”

47 ABC also spoke with CAMP Rehoboth about what they thought about today’s rulings. Many gathered at the community center to watch the announcement and executive director of CAMP Rehoboth Steve Elkins says the initial reaction? Silence. He says many couldn’t believe what they were hearing, but afterwards, it was a big celebration. Elkins and his husband were a couple for 33 years before they were able to get married in Delaware in 2013. He says now that the laws have changed, he feels safe.

Elkins tells 47 ABC, “The protection, especially the financial protection that we now have is so important its so important for anybody in a committed relationship to know that your spouse is going to be taken care of. I’ve been waiting all my life especially my adult life.”