Gay Marriage News Roundup: LGBT Celebration, iPhone Health Study & More Updates Here

Last Friday, the Supreme Court ruled by 5-4 vote on the decision to legalize same-sex marriage in all 50 states of America.

U.S. President Barack Obama lauded the Supreme Court's verdict. He believes that decision will now have all Americans, regardless of sexuality, be entitled to equality and protection under the law. This means gay couples now have the same rights and privileges as heterosexual couples.

"What an extraordinary achievement," President Obama said via the Guardian. "What a vindication of the belief that ordinary people can do extraordinary things. What a reminder of what Bobby Kennedy once said about how small actions can be like pebbles being thrown into a still lake, and ripples of hope cascade outwards and change the world."

The ruling will have a very big impact on the LGBT community and the youth, specially Latinos, NBC News reported. An earlier poll conducted by the outlet has found that more than half of Latinos born in the U.S. are supportive of same-sex marriage.

The historic decision came as happy coincidence to the biggest celebration of the last weekend of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Pride Month.

USA Today reported celebrations happening all across the United States. Some of the major celebrations and festivities are happening in New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Minneapolis, Seattle, Houston, Tampa Bay and New Orleans.

Meanwhile, medical researchers are using an iPhone app called PRIDE to conduct a survey on LGBT folks on health issues such as HIV/AIDS, smoking, depression, mental issues, and obesity NPR noted. The app will serve to help researchers like Drs. Mitchel Lunn and Juno Obedin-Maliver, who have been studying the health problems of LGBT people, get more relevant health data.

"We know that there are health disparities, but we don't have the data to drive clinical practice and public health priorities," Dr. Obedin-Maliver explained.

For concerns regarding security and privacy, Dr. Lunn pointed that the app is HIPAA-compliant and has "military-grade encryption" as a safe way for participants to report their health and other related experiences.

"In order for the community to thrive -- not just survive -- we need to incorporate LGBTQ people into all facets of life, including health and research," Dr. Obedin-Maliver said. "We need to understand their needs in their own words and voices."

The app is already available at the App Store since Thursday, the day before the Supreme Court legalized gay marriage in all of America.

What do you think about the Supreme Court's ruling? Sound off in the comments section below.