Anthony Kennedy Quotes

Prop 8 did something that no other state in the history of this country has done. It took away the rights of people that already were legally affirmed. Imagine someone putting something on the ballot saying your wedding, your marriage is no longer valid.

If two people of the same sex fall in love and want to marry, why would our government stand in their way?

You know, American citizens, I don't think, ever thought that the right to the pursuit of happiness did not include the right to marry the person you love. But for a whole number of Americans, gay Americans, that happens to be true.

I think same sex couples should be able to get married.

Gay Marriage is the Civil Rights Issue of our time.

Marriage equality is not a choice. It is a legal right.

It is wrong for the federal government to deny benefits or privileges to couples who have lawfully wed.

The right to marry is vital in society. It's a right that's older than the Bill of Rights because it goes back to the common law.

I believe in family values, and I believe that we all ought to be able to have a family and marry if you want to. I don't think the government should be in that business of denying people the fundamental right to marry.

After much deliberation, and after reviewing the legal, public policy and civil-rights questions presented, I support marriage equality for same-sex couples and believe that DOMA should be repealed.

We're talking about in the Proposition 8 case fundamental rights, civil rights. I offer no apology for the position I took in Prop. 8.

Our national media refuses to report that even the Supreme Court did not say marriage was a human right in all cases nor did it say that the heterosexual definition violated anyone's right or that the heterosexual definition of marriage was unconstitutional.

I think that every state in the union should recognize same-sex marriage.

Civil union is less than marriage. Marriage is a sacred and valued institution and ought to be afforded equal protection.

We are confident that the Supreme Court will soon see the direction that this country is headed and enshrine marriage as a constitutional right for all.

I think gay marriage should be the national law.

However saying that I totally support the concept of civil partnerships in the eyes of the law, and think it a disgrace that same sex couples have had to wait so long for legal rights, protection and recognition.

Marriage equality changed life for people.

I would love to have the same rights as everybody else. I would love, I don't care if it's called marriage. I don't care if it's called, you know, domestic partnership. I don't care what it's called.

A ban on same-sex marriage violates the state Constitution's equal protection clause.

I believe all people, regardless of sexual orientation, should be guaranteed the full rights to the legal benefits and responsibilities of marriage under the Constitution.

Marriage equality is not an issue of politics: it is an issue of justice achieved by political means.

It is unconstitutional to deny people, gay or lesbian couples, the right to marriage. Everyone has equal rights so this is the right way to go. I think it's a great celebration for America.

I do not believe that defending traditional marriage between one man and one woman excludes anybody or usurps anybody's civil rights and denies anybody their civil rights.

Marriage equality is coming, and not merely to a theater near you.