Supporters for marriage equality gathered at the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village on Wednesday, June 26, to celebrate the Supreme Court overturning the Defense of Marriage Act. The Stonewall Inn holds an important spot in the gay rights movement, as it was the starting point of the 1969 Stonewall Riots, which marked the beginning of the fight for equality among gays and lesbians.
Edie Windsor, who brought the original DOMA case, took to a stage outside of the Stonewall Inn to address the crowd. She was forced to pay $363,000 in estate taxes after the death of her long-time partner, Thea Spyer. She would not have had to pay anything had their marriage been recognized and bestowed the same rights and benefits as that of heterosexual spouses. Christine Quinn, who would be the first openly gay mayor in New York City if elected, took the stage with her.
