A Supreme Court ruling today that same-sex couples have the right to marry made many supporters of same-sex marriage rejoice, including students at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UALR).
A recent study by the Pew Research Center found that 73 percent of millennials, roughly defined as the generation born between 1980 and 2000, were in favor of same-sex marriage.
UALR has a group called The Alliance, which defines itself as an organization for straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender students that allows students to come together in an accepting environment.
Ashli Hunter, 24, is president of the group. She and partner Krys Stephens, 28, said they felt relieved.
"Honestly, I expected it. I felt that this is a new day that we are living in and everyone is coming around to it for the most part," said Hunter.
Meanwhile, Stephens said things feel surreal to him at the moment. "We've been involved in this struggle for so long and are so used to going out and marching and protesting and being active. And then it happened. Everything came together," said Stephens.
But Hunter and Stephens said there are still many struggles same-sex couples face and the court ruling is just the beginning of addressing those tensions.
“This isn't the only issue going on in the gay community. I think it's a good place to start,” said Stephens.
Hunter said same-sex marriage being legal does not erase concerns about discrimination. She said she thinks same-sex couples will still fear losing a job or being evicted by a landlord if they get married.
“This is definitely the beginning, but we will not stop fighting,” said Hunter.
