MTV Newsroom » Ellen DeGeneres & Portia De Rossi Set to Marry, And It’s Legal!

Ellen DeGeneres & Portia De Rossi Set to Marry, And It’s Legal!

30 Comments | Published by MTV News on Friday, May 16, 2008 at 1:22 pm.

(by Sarah Muller)

Here come the brides…Ellen DeGeneres and longtime girlfriend Portia De Rossi are getting hitched in a good, old-fashioned, legally recognized style.

Ellen announced the news while taping her show yesterday –- the same day California courts ruled against a ban on gay marriages. Studio audience members cheered and gave a standing ovation as Portia watched from the sidelines. (You might remember Portia from “Ally McBeal” and, more recently, “Nip/Tuck.”)

“I’m thrilled that the California Supreme Court overturned the ban on gay marriage,” she told The Advocate magazine yesterday. “I can’t wait to get married. We all deserve the same rights, and I believe that someday…not allowing gays to marry will seem as absurd as not allowing women to vote.”

Mazel tov!

Filed Under: Weddings, activism

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30 Comments to “Ellen DeGeneres & Portia De Rossi Set to Marry, And It’s Legal!”

Lindsey Thomas says:

2:23 on 05/16

"(You might remember Portia from "Ally McBeal" and, more recently, "Nip/Tuck.")"

And, more importantly, "Arrested Development."

What a sweet clip.
Amber says:

2:53 on 05/16

Wow. That made me cry. So happy for them and for every one else who can get married in California now that the courts have done the right thing.
Skip Reilley says:

2:54 on 05/16

When you can legally discriminate against someone you don't like, it opens the doors for someone to discriminate against you. It's high time the courts have overthrown this ridiculous waste of time, my only discouragement is that the court was split almost in half. Clearly, while this is a huge step in the right direction we still have a long way to go.
Fernando Vega says:

3:01 on 05/16

This is not just a gay issue or a gay victory. It is about human rights. It is beautiful. I am so happy for so many people. Ellen and Portia. I am so happy for you

Fernando Vega
Mary Mantelli says:

3:01 on 05/16

You go girls! I love Ellen and I'm so happy about this ruling in CA! My sister is gay, and while she is not planning a wedding in her immediate future, we know she will have plenty of weddings to attend in the community this summer! Who knows - at one of them she may meet the woman of her dreams.
Celeste says:

3:02 on 05/16

I'm so happy for them!!
Sandy says:

3:28 on 05/16

Congrats Ellen!
Gustavo says:

3:34 on 05/16

We on this earth may call it marriage, but I dont think God accepts it as a valid marriage. God designed marriage to be between a man and a woman. Please consider that at the end of our lives we will all face God and will have to account for our lives. We cannot live in opposition to God and inherit Heaven. Sex between same sex couples is a great offense to the way God designed and created human beings. I pray that you will repent and return to God. It is never too late and God will always accept you back. May God bless you.
Beth says:

4:00 on 05/16

Marriage as we know it was designed by man, not God. There were no priests, pastors, ministers in Eden; just one man and one woman. Who can say if there had been more than one of each sex, there may have been more same sex unions. I say it's none of my business what anyone else does in their life...just as it is no one else's business what I do in mine or you do in yours. Be joyous that 2 people have found one another and are willing to pledge themselves to one another. It's not going to affect you in any way.
clara says:

4:07 on 05/16

What do you have against MA? Congrats, I am proposing to my girl next weekend.
About Time says:

4:31 on 05/16

It's about time. I would love to marry my soulmate we have been together for 14 years have a gorgeous son together. congrats to both of them, if we all would live and let live just maybe the world would be a better place.
Susan R says:

5:46 on 05/16

Children have a right to a mom and dad. Singles and gays deny their children this right. A lesbian can be a great mom but can not be a dad. Kids need both. Just ask any kid who hasn't seen their mother or father.
I am not against gay unions but marriage.... the passage says husband and wife. It is between a man and a woman. Granting them marriage doesn't make homosexuality less abnormal.
Scott S says:

6:32 on 05/16

I really have to laugh at naive people like "Gustavo" and "Susan R". Because some monks copied a "book" (originally scrolls, some of which made it some which didn't...see the Dead Sea Scrolls) over and over again for thousands of years, you really think you know what God really thinks? Please. You have no idea. I do know that Jesus preached agape--unconditional love. And he preached against judging others ("lest you be judged"). So you are bad Christians on both counts there. And Susan R, how about all those bad, bad people who get divorced and not immediately remarried! What sinners be they! Denying their children mummy and daddy. Man, are you two out of touch with life, reality, and Christianity. Homosexuality is as abnormal as heterosexuality (and as normal; how much more scientific proof do we need, people?). Marriage in the US is not, by the way, a religious affair, it is a governmental one--it is the basis for shared property and taxes, nothing more. Since everyone is supposedly equal in this country, then everyone deserves the right to get "legally" married. Gay men and lesbians have been getting married in their churches for decades--but that has nothing to do with having the right to visit your dying partner in a hospital, losing your house because your deceased partner wasn't your legal spouse, being able to file joint tax returns, having to hire 20 lawyers for your will to make sure your partner is covered, etc. One thing I do know--God loves gay people as much as anyone; maybe y'all should try some agape, instead of righteous judgment. Oh, and Ellen and Portia, you go girls!
Ben Hurt says:

6:47 on 05/16

Conservatives make me sick! They can always put their bigotry and ignorance on their god, who, if he or she was as pathetic and mean in behavior as they describe, would be the Supreme Jerk. And they have the arrogance to assume that they know what this god woud feel, if such a being existed. Idiots. They are bigoted Christians because they live in America. If they lived in Syria, they would be bigoted Muslims. But they haven't the tiny bit of insight that they are simply sheep who follow tradtional beliefs because they are so provincial and limited. They are anchors on a ship. Nothing more. Leave 'em behind.
Lexi says:

6:50 on 05/16

I just have to say I agree with everything Scott S. said! And congrats to Ellen and Portia and all the other future newlyweds out there.
Jouko Peck says:

7:05 on 05/16

Homosexuality is still sin, regardless how you "feel"
Jenny says:

7:36 on 05/16

God told me this was right. :)
Congrats Ellen and Portia and to all because this is a step forward!
Kenny says:

7:40 on 05/16

In the Bible nothing is said against polygamy, and based on statistical evidence (http://www.religioustolerance.org/chr_dira.htm) evangelical/born-again Christians have a equal/higher divorce rate when compared to agnostics/atheists. On top of all of this the very notion of marriage is changing dramatically, and has changed dramatically since the Bible was written. One can believe in the bible, but they cannot deny the fact that their interpretation of the bible is based on their own individual/cultural experience. In our culture marriage at this point tends to be based on romantic love, where as when the bible was written gender lines were more strict, and marriage was a necessity for survival. Marriage between a man and a woman was necessary. Now that the reasons for marriage have changed, I believe that outdated rules need to be removed to allow for the change in society. If Christians can ignore some of the cleanliness codes of the Bible, and the country does not plummet into debauchery and decadence, then certainly one can allow for a change in the laws of marriage.

Also being as that I am agnostic and I will probably one day be married, wouldn't god not recognize my marriage? I certainly do not see marriage as something biblical, I see it as being societal, and cultural. Many gays see it the same way, and of course they want to participate. The only reason to disallow gays participation in our cultural idea of marriage is through bigotry.

This bigotry against homosexuals is exasperated with comments about "normality", regardless of your feelings about homosexuality it has existed throughout human history if it has not then why even bring it up in the bible. Therefore regardless of your "feelings" about homosexuality it is normal. Therefore imposing ones own idea about sin onto gay people whom clearly have either come to terms with their "sin" or more likely don't believe it is a sin at all is by definition oppression.

Behind all of the rhetoric about the bible and gay marriage is bigotry and oppression. Remember segregationists in the south somehow used the bible to try and convince their congregations god wanted segregation. Also remember that the civil rights movement used the bible to make their points as well. I believe Jesus said, "love one another." Being bigoted people who wish to oppress someones cultural and societal equality is not loving one another.
Tony Blass says:

7:46 on 05/16

I hate to say I told you so, but more than 4 years ago my letter about gay marriage was published in the Village Voice, from which I quote: "It's the simple fact that the policy of 'separate but equal' is not ever acceptable for any group of American citizens in any case. Period. ... [this is] a basic irrefutable constitutional issue"

And so, to all the so-called Christians out there: Jesus never said anything against homosexuality but he did remind you all to "Judge not and you will not be judged" and also to "let he who is without sin cast the first stone." I suggest you take His advice and shut the hell up!

Why should Ellen's marriage to Portia threaten yours? Just because both of them are 10 times better looking than either of you? Jealous much?? You know, "coveting" is on the Top Ten List of Commandments ... twice ... and yet, homosexuality failed to make that list.

And one more thing you biblical geniuses, Leviticus is a book of ancient Rabbinical Law. So it doesn't apply unless you want to become a Rabbi from Antiquity! And, if you do, just remember that eating shrimp is also an abomination!

Go Ellen and we'll see you Bible beaters at the polls in November!

Tony Blass
Encino, California
Ken says:

7:55 on 05/16

If the religious zealots believe that marriage is a religious union sanctioned by their god, then they should have no problem with the government leaving them and their churches alone on this issue. By that, I mean the government has no business granting special rights to people based on their religious unions. The government should require all couples, straight or gay, to register their partnerships at city hall to receive the special privileges currently granted to religious unions, or, do away with all special privileges based on marital status. Jesus supposedly said render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's. By that he basically gave the first separation of church and state pronouncement.
Americanslave says:

8:46 on 05/16

Hey, that's great! People can get married. It's about time that human beings were given the same legal rights. Seems that America come a long way in recognizing that all people should be free to enjoy the same rights. Unfortunately it won't be recognized in other states for a while. Not until this becomes a Supreme Court issue. It needs to be Federally mandated. Guess the minority needs to keep pushing the envelope and hope for the best. Keep on truckin'.

Shame we live in a society that is almost free to practice what they want. Still have a lot of people out there that think truth is not subjective; that there is only one mode of rationality. This leads to arrogance and pride in their opinions. This usually shows in their failure to validate rational thinking; appealing to authority and circular thinking are invalid.

Sure is a shame that people feel they have a right to decide and dictate how others can live, when they have no connection to the issue. No one has taken these people's rights away, yet, but it's coming.

Hope they really are feeling the pain of losing their right to practice their oppression freely. Seems that Theists (especially the Right-wing Christians) are losing their rights to voice their oppressive beliefs in the workplace and public venues. Some day that will be gone altogether, as we have more free-thinking indiviuals in politics. It's only a matter of time.
Cindy Larson says:

9:21 on 05/16

The real winners are the wedding planners and divorce lawyers.
The gay community will find out marriage is not that big of a deal.
zyskandar says:

9:35 on 05/16

Wish the best for MS. DEFENERES and MS.DE ROSSI...Do object to the 'state/courts' obtaining more power over more of our lives. If - IF more of organized religion would assume their proper roles as arbiters in the sacraments of marriage - the state/courts would assume less power!!! IT IS UP TO THE PEOPLE TO 'SEEK' MORE FREEDOM FROM THE GOVERNMENT INSYEAD OF TACITLY AGREEING TO FURTHER IMPOSED RESTRICTIONS!!!
Bunty says:

9:54 on 05/16

Ellen is too ugly for Portia.
Planet-38 says:

10:11 on 05/16

Awesome. Ellen seems to be a neat lady and Portia is so clever on Arrested Development.
jeanie says:

3:06 on 05/17

Ellen is such a talented, warm and funny woman. Isn't it wonderful that she is comfortable being herself. Isn't it wonderful that she is happy and has someone to share her life with?
Two dear friends have had a partnership for over thrity years and raised three children but could never be 'legal" Yet...it really was a marriage. For the record...the kids are "straight"
I feel blessed to have known friends in Gay partnerships who adopted children who had no one to love them before.
Love works miracles....
Congratulations to Ellen and Portia
ada says:

11:17 on 05/17

I'm so happy for them, god sended us yo yhis world to love each ohter regardless of anything
Jeremy Dawes says:

2:13 on 05/17

When you can lawfully differentiate next to someone you don't like, it unlock the doors for someone to differentiate against you. On top of all of this the very notion of marriage is changing dramatically, and has changed dramatically since the Bible was written.
Elise says:

5:11 on 05/17

Congrats to Ellen and Portia. One day people will look back on this time, the way we look back on the civil rights movement. It's insane that all people in American can't have the same rights. Separation of church and state people.
amanda says:

5:08 on 06/22

I am sad to see that people believe that things have changed since the Bible was written and agree with this type of union. Gay relationships existed even in biblical times. Marriage is supposed to be between a man and woman, this union is not what God planned. I pray that people will begin to see this is not the way to live. This is not evolution toward enlightenment and equal treatment but a sure path to destruction. People cannot just do whatever feels good. The same applys to men and women who cheat on their partners and a host of other social ills. While I love them as fellow humans I also believe it is the right thing to do to point out their way of life is wrong.