WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) issued the following statement after the U.S. Supreme Court, in the case of Obergefell v. Hodges, deemed it unconstitutional for states to deny marriage licenses to same sex couples:

“Today the Supreme Court has finally put our nation on the right side of history. Marriage equality is now the law of the land across our country, including in Ohio, and states should immediately begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples, who have waited too long already.

“This decision comes in no small part because of the courage of Ohioan Jim Obergefell, and all those who have fought for marriage equality. Anyone who has heard Jim tell his story can’t fail to be moved. It’s long past time that our laws recognized his marriage and all other same-sex marriages. 

“While today we celebrate this momentous step forward for equality, we know our work is not yet finished. We must continue fighting discrimination against LGBT Americans and all other communities. The arc of history is bending a little further toward justice today, but our work to create a more perfect union, with equality and justice for all, continues.”

Brown also released a video applauding the news.

Brown is a long-time supporter of marriage equality. In April, Brown met with Jim Obergefell, a Cincinnati resident and the plaintiff in Obergefell v. Hodges. In March, Brown joined 43 of his Senate colleagues and 167 members of the House of Representatives in filing an amicus brief in the Supreme Court stating that all couples deserve the right to marry no matter the state that they live in.

Brown is one of a handful of sitting senators who voted against the controversial Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) in 1996 – during his service as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives.

In January 2015, Brown cosponsored the Respect for Marriage Act, legislation that would fully repeal the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and ensure equal federal recognition for legally-married, same sex couples – even if they live in non-marriage equality states.

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