Celebrities whoop with joy at the US gay marriage ruling

New York - Actors, singers and Hollywood celebrities, many of whom have played a major role in driving acceptance of gay rights in mainstream culture, whooped with joy at the US Supreme Court's ruling that made gay marriage legal nationwide on Friday.

Twitter lit up after the historic decision, with #LoveWins, accompanied by a rainbow-coloured heart, and #SupremeCourt quickly becoming the top trending items on the social media site.

Celebrities such as British singer Elton John and US comedian Ellen DeGeneres, both of whom are in same-sex marriages, have spoken out in support of gay unions for years.

Popular American TV shows Will & Grace, Glee and comedy Modern Family also are widely credited with playing an influential role in changing the perception of gays, lesbians and transgender people in the United States and beyond.

Here are some celebrity reactions to Friday's ruling on social media:

Love won. #MarriageEquality

— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) June 26, 2015

Hugely emotional that marriage equality has finally come to the U.S. History! Love ALWAYS wins. ??????

— Jesse Tyler Ferguson (@jessetyler) June 26, 2015

Congratulations, particularly to those who made the case for equality. So pleased to be celebrating @nycpride over the weekend. #LoveWins

— Ian McKellen (@IanMcKellen) June 26, 2015

https://t.co/dj1KZ6Txki

— Ian McKellen (@IanMcKellen) June 26, 2015

Seems I'm always a bridesmaid and never a bride! Still, my heart is huge with this great news!! #lovewins pic.twitter.com/i9LtBm37kp

— Marc Jacobs (@themarcjacobs) June 26, 2015

ALL 50 STATES!!!! ?? So happy. Times are changing my friends. We have such a long way to go and so much more fighting to do so I hope nobody stops and thinks everything's ok because it isn't, BUT it's days like today, and moments like this that we've all gotta have a drink and celebrate how far we have come. I couldn't be prouder to be gay x love to all x #PRIDE #EQUALITY

A photo posted by Sam Smith (@samsmithworld) on Jun 26, 2015 at 7:45am PDT

We are so proud to be American today! All of our #LGBT brothers and sisters can now love freely! Thank you #SupremeCourt for doing the right thing.

A photo posted by Lance Bass (@lancebass) on Jun 26, 2015 at 7:29am PDT

BRAVO Supreme Court!!! We knew you had it in you. . . looking out for equality and looking out for healthcare. It's a good day in America!!!

— Whoopi Goldberg (@WhoopiGoldberg) June 26, 2015

Woke up to learn that love is free! Thank you to all those who fought so hard to make this historic moment happen.

— Lena Dunham (@lenadunham) June 26, 2015

#Lovewins

A photo posted by @ladygaga on Jun 26, 2015 at 10:45am PDT