America’s LGBTQ community can breathe a small sigh of relief.
President Joe Biden signed into law Tuesday Marriage Respect Actformally repeal previous federal laws that sought to exclude the LGBTQ community, and do what the right-wing majority of the Supreme Court did to abortion rights for marriage equality and interracial marriage. It provides fail-safe measures in case of
“Today is a good day, the day America takes an important step towards equality,” Biden said at the White House signing ceremony.
“It’s been a long road to this moment, but those who believe in equality and justice never give up,” he added.
Biden before the event used twitter To call the law “a groundbreaking civil rights bill that honors the courage and sacrifice of generations of married couples who fought for marriage equality and equal rights.”
“If there’s one message that’s clear from today, it’s that this law, and the love it upholds, will hit hate in all its forms,” Biden said. Said.
Hundreds of LGBTQ activists, advocates and entertainers attended the White House to watch the bill become law. Targeted by political vitriol When lethal attack In 2022, upset activists and drag queen similar.
New York City drug artist and activist Marty Cummings told BuzzFeed News, “It’s such an honor to be included among those who are here to celebrate this victory for our community.
Also, among those invited to this occasion, Andrew HertzlerHe ran against his aunt, Missouri Republican Rep. Vicky Hertzler, last week when she used a floor speech in the House of Representatives, tearfully and unsuccessfully.
Speaking of the moment he received the invitation last weekend, Andrew said, “It was so surreal that I immediately burst into tears.” Standing up for what you know is true and says a lot about how far it really gets you.
The new law ensures that the federal government will approve marriages for same-sex and interracial couples if the country’s Supreme Court tries to roll back civil rights jurisprudence. LGBTQ activists feared it might happen When Judge Clarence Thomas used a court decision overturn abortion rights Call for past cases Marriage Equality and Contraception Scheduled for next review.
Congress cannot require states to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples because the U.S. Constitution gives the states, not the federal government, the power to decide who can marry.But should the Supreme Court overturn Obergefel vs Hodgesin a 2015 lawsuit that stopped states from discriminating against marriage for same-sex couples, this new law means the federal government will continue to allow such marriages. It is possible, but we must recognize marriages of same-sex couples that have taken place legally elsewhere.
The act also formally repeals the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), the 1996 law that first denied federal rights and benefits to same-sex couples.
“With one stroke of the president’s stroke, the law protects the fundamental right to marry the one you love.” outgoing speaker Nancy Pelosi told people at the White House on Tuesday before it was signed.
“Everyone deserves the magical blessing of bonding with their loved ones,” she added.