American educators celebrate marriage equality ruling
The landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling on same sex marriage is being praised by Education International’s American affiliates as a major step toward ending discrimination and moving the country onto the right side of history.
The Supreme Court’s decision to recognise same sex marriages has been hailed as major step toward equality by both the National Education Association (NEA) and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), who have long fought against discrimination of same sex couples.
“Today the Supreme Court has taken a monumental step forward in our national journey toward a more perfect union by making marriage equality the law in every state of our great nation,” said NEA President Lily Eskelsen García.“On behalf of our members—and the students they serve—we applaud the court’s historic decision, which will end discrimination against same sex couples, place them on equal footing with other families and safeguard all of our children.”
In her statement, Randi Weingarten, President of the AFT, said that “while this is a day of celebration, there is more work to do in our fight for full equality. As a gay woman and union leader, I know that I wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for my union—an ally in the struggle for rights and a shield from unfair discrimination in the workplace.”
The court’s ruling makes same sex marriage a right in all 50 states.
