“Today’s ruling is a truly amazing step toward full equality” says Sean Massey, associate professor of Women, Gender & Sexuality Studies at Binghamton University. “However, the implications of this ruling for national employment discrimination protections and full recognition of our rights as parents are still open questions.”

Massey’s research found that anti-gay attitudes were still prevalent in how same-sex parents were judged by others. His research on attitudes toward lesbians and gay men also suggests that individuals can hold different, sometimes conflicting, attitudes toward gay people.

“This ruling will undoubtedly improve attitudes,” says Massey. “But as the four dissenting opinions suggest, prejudice and discrimination continue to challenges our freedoms and threaten our families.”