Same-sex Atlantans celebrate Supreme Court rulings

Reaction pours in across Atlanta metro over gay marriage ruling

More that 300 people filled the intersection of 10th Street and Piedmont Avenue in midtown Atlanta Wednesday night to celebrate a milestone legal decision on gay rights.

Waving rainbow flags, the crowd hailed the U.S. Supreme Court’s rulings earlier in the day.

College friends, young gay couples, and same-sex families with young children in tow raised impromptu cardboard signs that read, “Let’s bring it home, ya’ll,” and, “Georgia, when can I marry my boyfriend?”

Holding megaphones, some supporters chanted, “Vote for equality,” and clapped and shouted as drivers passed by honking their horns.

“I’m 63 years old,” said Larry Mintgue, who was moving about the crowd, handing out multicolored cupcakes to participants. “When I was growing up, I was illegal and I was crazy. In my lifetime, I’ve gone from that to the fullest equal rights I’ve ever seen.”

As a fire truck drove by in the rush-hour traffic and honked, the crowd shouted and cheered. Draped in a banner reading “Equality,” a man danced across the street, and began hugging fellow participants. “We’re here because we have an 18 year-old son whose parents have never been able to be married, and never will in this state,” said Linda Russel. She and her partner, Tamara Weinstein, live in Decatur. “But’s a huge step forward, it’s not the end … we suspect Georgia will be one of the last states to let us get married.”