Watch: The Moment of Victory for Marriage Equality

Tuesday's election was historic for many reasons — including the reelection of the first sitting president to endorse marriage equality, the election of the nation's first out lesbian senator, and more than 100 other LGBT candidates elected to office — but perhaps none were more groundbreaking and heartwarming than victories for marriage equality in Washington State, Maryland and Maine. In case that weren't notable enough, on Tuesday Minnesota became the first state in the country's history to reject an amendment banning same-sex marriage. 

Tuesday's election was historic for many reasons — including the reelection of the first sitting president to endorse marriage equality, the election of the nation's first out lesbian senator, and more than 100 other LGBT candidates elected to office — but perhaps none were more groundbreaking and heartwarming than victories for marriage equality in Washington State, Maryland and Maine. In case that weren't notable enough, on Tuesday Minnesota became the first state in the country's history to reject an amendment banning same-sex marriage. 

We reached out to SheWired readers across the nation, asking for pictures that immortalized the moment history was made in LGBT equality in this country. Readers submitted tender, beautiful photos, and we scoured the internet to find a few additional images, and one video you MUST watch. So grab a box of tissues (if you're the emotional type like me) and click through the following pages to see the expressions of LGBT people the moment they realize that the majority has just cast a ballot recognizing our fundamental human rights — for the first time in U.S. history.

Let's start off with these gorgeous snapshots from Washington, featured in the music video for "Same Love" by Macklemore, Ryan Lewis, and Mary Lambert. You'll want to watch the video, too. Here it is: