We already know Sir Ian McKellen's celebrations today included confetti and some Queen, but the actor also chatted with MSNBC today to discuss the exciting news concerning the Supreme Court's decision that same-sex couples have the right to marry anywhere in the U.S.
"Very excited city. Congratulations, America," the star, who is currently in New York in anticipation for the Pride parade this weekend, told Thomas Roberts during a phone interview, and adds that he hopes America's decision will influence countries around the world who have yet to accept same-sex marriage as a right.
"It's a great relief. Strange that it all rest on the decision of one of the judges, but he fortunately landed on the right side so everyone can heave a sigh of relief. And America now joins in all the other countries who've been doing the same thing. I think this is gonna be a rapid domino effect. So it'll have a big effect beyond these shores, I hope."
Then, McKellen's Vicious on-screen partner Derek Jacobi got on the phone, although Roberts thought he was still talking to McKellen the entire time until Jacobi corrected him at the end, LOL!
"Congratulations, particularly to those who made the case for equality. So pleased to be celebrating @nycpride over the weekend. #LoveWins," McKellen tweeted earlier today.
However, in a separate interview with USA Today, McKellen argues that while it's a great accomplishment to have granted the law, we now need to work on diminishing the prejudice that surrounds the LGBT community.
And that will be harder work.
Prior to the decision, 36 states and Washington allowed gay marriage, but SCOTUS' decision means the remaining 14 states, mainly in the South and Midwest, will have to stop banning same-sex marriage.
Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote the majority opinion.
"The court now holds that same-sex couples may exercise the fundamental right to marry. No longer may this liberty be denied to them," Kennedy wrote in the majority opinion. He was joined in the opinion by Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Stephen G. Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan.
President Barack Obama made a speech after the decision was made, calling it a "victory" for many.
"The progress on this journey often comes in small increments," he said. "Sometimes two steps forward, one step back propelled by the persisistent effort of dedicated citizens. And then sometimes there are days like this. When that slow, steady effort is rewarded with justice that arrives home."
He described the decision as something that will "end the patch-work system we currently have" and will "strengthen all of our communities."
"America is a place where you can write your own destiny," he said.