Moments after the Supreme Court revealed its ruling on marriage equality and throughout the entire day, the Internet exploded with reaction both positive and negative (but mostly positive) to news that every ban on same-sex marriage has been overturned. The Tennessean has a collection of quotes from various elected officials. The music blog Taste of Country has a collection of quotes from musicians.

Attorney Abby Rubenfeld, who was instrumental in bringing the Tennessee case to the Supreme Court, told O&AN in this exclusive:

This is so awesome. And contrary to Justice Roberts' dissent, this decision is ALL about the Constitution. It shows just how wonderful our Constitutional system is and that it works. We live in a Constitutional democracy — we have a Bill of Rights that protects everyone, and laws must follow it. The Constitution guarantees equal treatment to all — LGBT people included — and the Supreme Court made that very clear today, as they should.

I am so excited that Tennessee got to play a part in this amazing victory. Our three couples are brave, amazing people who deserve our thanks.

Now, it's time to celebrate — and then to get back to work to end employment discrimination, to protect LGBT youth, to make sure that our trans brothers and sisters are protected from violence, and the list goes on and on.

In an email to supporters, TEP Executive Director Chris Sanders stated:

We celebrate today’s Supreme Court ruling striking down state bans on the marriages of same-gender couples.  Now couples can get married in Tennessee and couples who have been legally married for years in other jurisdictions will have their marriages recognized here.  

We call on the State of Tennessee through all its government agencies and the 95 county clerks in our state to stop enforcing the ban.  There is no legal authority for denying or delaying equal protection of the law for these couples.  We will monitor and address any resistance to the Court’s ruling.

The work is not finished.  This victory inspires us to continue working for the day when our jobs are free of discrimination, our schools are free of bullying, and our streets are free of hate and violence.  But today we celebrate a great victory for love and justice.

In an email to supporters, the Tennessee Transgender Political Coalition offered this quote from Nashville resident Michael Reding:

This is a momentous occasion for same-sex couples across the United States.  Not only does this ruling apply to the four states involved in the original case, but it now creates a seamless fabric that equalizes marriage across the entire United States.  No longer will couples have to wonder if their marriage will be legal or recognized in a state they are traveling to or that they are moving to, but will now know that they have equal protection and recognition under the law.  And while same-sex marriage may not seem like a transgender issue, for those born in Tennessee who are currently unable to get their gender marker changed on their birth certificate, they will no longer have to worry that their birth-sex may keep them from marrying the person they love.  

While marriage equality in the US is a historic and wonderful achievement, we must remember that we have a long way to go for full rights and equality for all LGBTQ individuals, from hate crimes legislation to anti-discrimination policies in employment, housing, healthcare, etc.  We must continue our fight for freedom and equality, and we must continue to work to change the hearts and minds of those around us.  I have faith that one day we will look back and wonder why this took so long, why we had to fight so hard, but until that day comes, let's join together and keep moving equality forward!

Here are a collection of tweets compiled by O&AN from readers in and around Nashville from this historic day.

Photo at top via Twitter: @jacobiis