Heather Curtis, WMAL

WASHINGTON — Proponents of gay marriage are celebrating Friday’s landmark Supreme Court decision that states can’t ban same-sex marriage.

“We’re thrilled with the decision. We believe that our laws should be based on reason over belief and equality over using religion to discriminate,” Interim Executive Director for the Secular Coalition for America Kelly Damerow told WMAL as she drove to the Supreme Court.

Gay marriage opponents, however, feel the ruling is a slap in the face to the democratic process. President of the Family Foundation of Virginia Victoria Cobb said the ruling denies Americans their right to debate and decide marriage equality through that process.

The ruling will prohibit state’s from denying marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Damerow said the decision recognizes gay marriage as a constitutional right, ending the debate over whether LGBT people are entitled the right to get married.

Some are concerned the ruling could have future implications for religious institutions as well.

“This decision will now be used as a legal sledgehammer by the LGBT lobby against churches and against people of faith who will continue to hang onto their understanding of true, natural and authentic marriage,” said Vice President of the Legal Affairs Liberty Council Harry Mihet.

Mihet added the decision will not change anything about the institution of marriage. “Just because five members of the Supreme Court who are unelected and unaccountable decide to call a union marriage, it doesn’t make it so anymore than if they decided to call a sheep a cow.”

Despite his vehement disagreement with the court’s decision, Mihet said they did get something right. Justices re-affirmed the right of Americans to continue to advocate for their understanding of true marriage, indicating that the fight over marriage will go on.

Copyright 2015 by WMAL.com. All Rights Reserved. (Photo: Heather Curtis)