Hannah Valdes

Honors History
Mrs. Lucarelli
15 January 2016

Gay Marriage Legalization: The Fight for Equality

What Happened
For the past 5 decades, intense debate has
surrounded the issues of same-sex marriage
and the freedom of marriage in the United
States. Each state varied in their standpoints
and willingness to support the issue. Gay
marriage advocates have been working
towards a solution for the issue for years,
and have hosted numerous peaceful protests
in favor of their cause, including parades,
rallies, and even classic sit-ins. However,
on June 26th, 2015, the Supreme Court
legalized gay marriage all across the Nation,
creating a historic even for all Americans.
For some, this was a triumphant victory after
years of laborious work, and for others, this
was a day that brought shame to their nation
(History and Timeline).
The case, Obergefell v. Hodges, was the
monumental conflict that caused the
Supreme Court
to reevaluate
the
fundamentals
surrounding the
power to deny
same-sex
marriage. The
United States
Supreme Court
concluded that,
in the end, as a result of the 14th amendment
of the Constitution, the freedom to marry
was guaranteed to gay couples. The
plaintiffs in the case consisted of 14 gay
couples, and the defendant, Richard Hodges,
is the director of the Ohio Department of

Health. Several states recognized marriage

only as, a union between one man and
one woman and therefore did not grant
marriage licenses to same sex couples. Since
the court case though, the Supreme Court
has instituted that the 14th amendment
requires all states to grant marriage licenses
and completely recognize gay couples
(Obergefell v. Hodges...).

What the Gay Marriage Advocates

Said
The legalization of same-sex marriage was a
monumental day for the advocates of gay
marriage, and a day of pure achievement.
Many couples raced to get their marriage
licenses immediately following the Supreme
Court ruling. However, when interviewed,
many gay marriage advocates remarked that,
they celebrate the Supreme Courts
verdict but hope that politicians and the
public can turn
their attention to a
wide range of
The White
House lights other cultural and
up in
legal problems
rainbow
colors in
facing their
support of
communities.,
gay
marriage,
according to The
after the
Daily Beast.
Supreme
Court ruling. Through this, it is
evident that
although the nationwide legalization of same
sex marriage was a landmark for the gay
community, they believe that it will take
much more to gain complete equality for
their cause (Allen).

In relation to the Supreme Court Case, the

advocates for gay marriage stated that they
completely deserved the ruling. Justice
Anthony Kennedy wrote that the plaintiffs
simply asked for, equal dignity in the
eyes of the law. The Constitution grants
them that right. (U.S. Supreme Court).

the conversation about what marriage is and

why it matters for America. She, along
with many other protestors, suggest that the
topic is not closed for discussion, and that
the voters in our country should get an equal
say in the ruling of same-sex marriage
(U.S. Supreme Court).

What the Christian Conservatives

Said

Kellie Fiedorek, a lawyer for an anti-gay

marriage advocacy group, shared similar
views with Jennifer Marshall and stated that
United States government, ignored the
voices of thousands of Americans.. The
governor of Texas, Greg Abbott, has also
expressed extreme disdain toward the ruling
as well, since Texas is now forced to issue
marriage licenses to same sex couples, as
gay marriage was previously illegal in Texas
(U.S. Supreme Court).

In sharp contrast to the celebrations and joy

of the gay couples and gay marriage
advocates, Christian Conservatives took this
ruling of the Supreme Court to heart. They
were deeply disappointed and disgusted by
the Courts ruling and nationwide
legalization of same-sex marriage. Jennifer
Marshall, a member of the Heritage
Foundation in Washington D.C., and an antigay protestor at the Supreme Court ruling,
commented that the, Supreme Court has
issued a decision today, but it will not end

Works Cited
Allen, Samantha. "LGBT Leaders: Gay Marriage Is Not Enough." The Daily Beast.
Newsweek/Daily Beast, 2015. Web. 6 Jan. 2016.
"History and Timeline of the Freedom to Marry in the United States." Freedom to Marry.
Freedom to Marry, Inc., 2015. Web. 5 Jan. 2016.
"Obergefell v. Hodges Case Brief Summary." Lawnix Free Case Briefs RSS. Lawnix, 2015.
Web. 5 Jan. 2016.
"US Supreme Court Rules Gay Marriage Is Legal." BBC News. BBC, 27 June 2015. Web. 6 Jan.
2016.