DAY IN HISTORY- June 25, 2015

Marriage Rights Equality Passes in U.S.

Obergefell v. Hodges Provides Marriage Rights for All

Image credit wwaytv3

On June 26, 2015, all citizens of the United States were granted the right to marriage equality, a historic win for the LGBTQ community, which had fought for their rights to marry whom they loved for generations. While same sex marriage was legal in some states, the U.S. Supreme Court case of Obergefell v. Hodges required all states to perform and recognize same-sex marriages nationwide. This landmark decision allowed all LGBTQ citizens the rights to marry, hold property, parent, and adopt as heterosexual couples.

The case was actually the consolidation of six lower-court cases from Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Sixteen same sex plaintiffs brought the cases to the ultimate decision of the U.S. Supreme Court, all marriage rights equally applied, despite the state where a person resided.

The Court ruled a fundamental right to marry is guaranteed to same-sex couples by both the Due Process Clause and the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. All states must recognize valid legal marriages performed in other jurisdictions.

In Obergefell v. Hodges, Jim Obergefell and others sued for recognition of their same-sex marriages, the denial of their marriage across state lines prevented legal rights and privileges, such as adoptions, parental rights, and property transfer. As a result of this decision, same-sex couples were granted access to the same array of federal and state rights, protections, and benefits (such as joint tax filing, hospital visitation, and inheritance rights) that opposite-sex couples enjoyed.

Winning the right to marry who they love, was a hard-won battle, which had been brewing since the original Gay Rights and Stonewall uprising in 1969. As we celebrate Pride month, this case is extremely important in providing legal standing and validation of same sex marriages.

[embed]Stonewall Riot Inflames a Nation The first Pride March in 1969medium.com

As we look upon this ruling of equality of all citizens of America, it is important to realize its long-term stability is precarious for several key reasons. Several of our Supreme Court Justices have expressed interest in favor of repealing this decision creating an ongoing threat to the ruling legalizing same sex marriage. Several entities including Kentucky county clerk Kim Davis, have attempted to bring up the decision, but the Court has dismissed the case.

According to an article in Politico,

If Obergefell were overturned, the legality of same-sex marriage would instantly revert to a state-by-state issue. However, the federal Respect for Marriage Act provides a critical safety net. It mandates that the federal government, and all states, must recognize valid same-sex marriages performed in other states, even if that couple lives in a state that prohibits gay marriage.

© June 2026 A. Roe

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