On June 26, the United States Supreme Court ruled that the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), the law barring the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriages legalized by the states, was unconstitutional. SPIN reached out for reaction from some of today’s most politically engaged musicians. Here’s what they had to say.



MEN’S JD SAMSON

I came to Austin on Tuesday for a DJ gig and walked into one of the most powerful protests I have ever been part of. Watching Wendy Davis filibuster live at the Texas capital was absolutely inspiring, and invigorating for me. Something I will never forget.

And later as we danced to protest music, we watched the live feed on a 30-foot screen. At one point, we turned off the music to hear the arguments in real time, and as soon as there was a question about the outcome, we closed the party to join the masses and protest in solidarity.

This morning I awoke feeling proud that the Texas abortion bill had failed, but was left worried about DOMA and Prop 8, after witnessing such blatant misogyny and bigotry in our government practice. And as the SCOTUS blog spit out the results, I couldn’t help but feel at peace. With tears running down my face, I knew that the bodies we own and carry ourselves in had stood up all over this country, just as we had the night before. And that together we had created positive change with our fight for freedom and equality.

Thank you to every person that has ever taken to the streets, to every ally that believes in equality, to every shared Internet image and chant that has united us in these struggles and helped us win one more fight for equal rights.

It feels incredible to live in a time where progressive change is taking place. Slowly but surely…

Let’s not stop.

NO AGE’S RANDY RANDALL

The Supreme Court ruling is a step in the right direction. It is insane that things need to move this slow. Marriage and expressions of love are not things the government has any right to regulate. I look forward to my home state of California stepping into the 21st century.

FUCK Prop 8 in the face!

THE MOUNTAIN GOATS’ JOHN DARNIELLE

When SPIN heard that Section 3 of the odious Defense of Marriage Act had been ruled unconstitutional by the United States Supreme Court, naturally their first impulse was to call me.

“John,” they said (there were several of them; it was a conference call), “you’re a guy who’s written, by our count, no fewer than 40 songs about an alcoholic couple getting a divorce. What’s your take on this whole deal?”