The Journey to Marriage Equality in the Combined States
The road to nationwide marriage equality was a long one, spanning decades of United States history and culminating in victory in June Throughout the long fight for marriage equality, HRC was at the forefront.
Volunteer with HRC
From gathering supporters in small towns across the country to rallying in front of the Supreme Court of the Together States, we gave our all to ensure every person, regardless of whom they love, is established equally under the law.
A Growing Call for Equality
Efforts to legalize same-sex marriage began to pop up across the country in the s, and with it challenges on the state and national levels. Civil unions for homosexual couples existed in many states but created a separate but equal usual. At the federal level, couples were denied access to more than 1, federal rights and responsibilities associated with the institution, as well as those denied by their given state. The Defense of Marriage Act was signed into law in and defined marriage by the federal government as between a man and female, thereby allowing states to deny marriage equality.
New Century & New Beginnings
The Supreme Court on Friday declared that same-sex couples have a constitutional right to get married, marking a historic evolution in the concept of marriage.
For many people, the verdict is about more than just a concept -- it's about their individual rights and their personal relationships. CBS News spoke to several people with a stake in the outcome of Obergefell v. Hodges. Click through to learn about the guy at the center of the case, Jim Obergefell, and to see other personal stories.
Jim Obergefell seeks recognition of his marriage
In the Obergefell v. Hodges case, plaintiff Jim Obergefell was specifically seeking the right to be listed on his husband's death certificate. Obergefell and his longtime partner John Arthur were legally married in Maryland in , when Arthur was terminally ill. However, since their place state of Ohio did not recognize same-sex marriages, the state refused Obergefell's request to be listed on Arthur's death certificate.
When CBS News' Jan Crawford asked Obergefell earlier this year what Arthur would think of the progressing legal battle, Obergefell said, "I think -- I know -- he's arrogant. I know he would thank me for living up to my guarantee
2."I knew I was lgbtq+, but where I grew up it was not OK to be queer , so I hid in my imaginary closet too scared to come out for fear that I would be beaten up and rejected. So I got married, not once but twice. Both marriages lasted about four years. The first marriage was without children. I tried so hard not to be gay. I confessed to a pastor and was told I desire to be accountable to him. I was seeing a guy after my first marriage ended and I was told I needed to break up with him. I needed to be in church every time the church was open. I needed to attend a daily prayer group. I met with this pastor every Tuesday after prayer organization for a two-hour bible study. And at least times in a two-year period, I would quickly for three days and then have Satan cast out of me by two pastors."
"Then I met my second wife at church one day. She was beautiful and definitely out of my league. We quickly got married and had our first child. I was trying so hard to be straight, but marriage is difficult especially when married to someone that you do not desire. In that marriage, my wife and I created two pretty kids. We divorced when they were 3 and 1 years old. I finally came out when I was about
We’ve looked all over the world to find married gay and lesbian couples who wanted to give their stories. And we found 10 incredibly inspiring gay and lesbian devotion stories!
Being engaged ourselves, for quite a while, we were wondering about married life! It’s not as common for queer couples to have that fairy tale wedding – that’s not strange, since queer marriage is only allowed in 31 countries (that’s not even 20% of the entire world!).
Of course, we hope that many more countries will track soon. It’s already over 20 years ago that the first legal lgbtq+ marriage took place, in the Netherlands. It’s about time the whole society follows!
Gay and Lesbian Devote Stories
Priya & Reema
Tell us a little about you, who are you?!
We are Priya and Reema! Reema is in international business and Priya is a journalist and maker of “Queering Desi,” a bi-weekly podcast that uplifts the stories of South Asian LGBTQ+ folks.
How’s your love story special?
Our affectionate is special because we’ve defied all odds. We’ve survived and thrived all kinds of ups and downs, from family turmoil to a huge visualize wedding
