MAPLEWOOD WAS A PIONEER IN GAY MARRIAGE RIGHTS THAT LED TO TODAY'S DECISION

As the Supreme Court reaffirms the rights of same-sex couples with its landmark ruling today that legalizes gay marriage nationwide, Maplewood stands as a leader and even pioneer in the rights of gay couples.

As far back as 2009, when the Township Committee passed one of the first resolutions urging the state to legalize same-sex unions, to 2013's Town Hall celebration of many gay weddings -- including a mass ceremony on the steps of Town Hall -- Maplewood has been a great inclusive voice and home for same-sex marriage rights.

The North Jersey Pride Festival has been held in Memorial Park for many years, including just a few weeks ago, with a rally planned for later today to celebrate the decision.

Mayor Vic De Luca, meanwhile, has been an outspoken supporter of same-sex unions, including signing on to a similar Supreme Court brief just this spring.

But none of this would matter if most of the people of Maplewood did not do such a welcoming job of including same-sex couples in our community, from school classrooms to town events to simple day-to-day contact. We are very spoiled here at how much gay rights are promoted and how well same-sex couples are treated.

Now that the rest of the country is forced to provide the same protections and equal rights that many in Maplewood have been urging and practicing for years, let's hope that this becomes a non-issue and that our same-sex residents can be treated as equal as any other married couple as they deserve. And that those around the nation can take Maplewood's lead and do the same.