administration historically instituted don t ask, don t tell and everybody thought that was a major step forward. and could you imagine a day of sitting here like we are now knowing that dom doesn t exist, neither does don t ask, don t tell and the supreme court is affirming marriage equality constitutional right coast to coast? i think you re exactly right. it s not only been a historic morning but it s been a very moving one, especially for those of us who have been involved in this effort nor a long time. i thought president obama s remarks were very moving and very appropriate for the leader of our country to come forward and say how proud he was of the country, how proud people who have been involved in this you know, need to be. it s also quite remarkable. you know very rarely do we have a decision from any court, even the supreme court, where all of a sudden, you know, the moment the decision comes down the lives of so many americans change. i mean, you know the supreme court
supreme court affirms what millions across this country already know to be true in our hearts. our love is equal, that the four words etched on to the front of the supreme court, equal justice under law, apply to us too. this ruling is a victory for america. when all americans are treated as equal, we are all more free. it has been history in the making here this morning on msnbc. hi, everybody. good afternoon. welcome back to msnbc world headquarters. i m thomas rontsberts. joining me here in new york for the new yorker and former adviser to president clinton. sir richard, as we heard from the president in the 11:00 hour he talked about the fact that you know through his administration they ve done away with doma and don t ask, don t tell. you know the clinton
marriage out there in the general public the u.s. military has permitted same-sex couples to conduct their wedding ceremonies in military chapels. and, in fact since september of 2013 in those states where it s considered legal now, as you said a moment ago, that same-sex marriages ceremonies will be permitted in military chapels in all 50 states. and it was back in september of 2013 when the u.s. military actually decided to provide benefits to these spouses of same-sex couples, health care benefits access to military facilities and benefits and the like, which was a huge step forward for the military and the pentagon. after all, it was only 2011 when the pentagon finally lifted don t ask, don t tell ended that prohibition against openly gay service members serving in the