Obama praises the legalization of gay marriage: 'Real change is possible'

(Image credit: Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

On the day the Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that gay marriage is a constitutional right, President Obama praised not just the efforts of the courts, but the efforts of "countless anonymous heroes" who "slowly made an entire country realize that love is love." With the court ruling that same-sex couples have the right to marry in all 50 states, the notion that all people should be treated equally "regardless of who they are and who they like" has been reaffirmed.

Today we can say, in no uncertain terms, that we made our union a little more perfect. That's the consequence of a decision from the Supreme Court, but more importantly, it's the consequence of people who stood up. Who came out. Who talked to parents. Parents who loved their children no matter what. Folks who were willing to endure bullying and taunts. What a vindication of the belief that ordinary people can do extraordinary things. What a reminder of what Bobby Kennedy once said about how small actions can be like pebbles thrown into a still lake. Ripples of hope cascade outwards and change the world. Those countless, often anonymous heroes, they deserve our thanks. They should be very proud. America should be very proud. [Obama]

"Real change is possible," the president said.