Tuesday’s House vote was aimed at enshrining federal law the right to same-sex marriage. This would preempt a possible Supreme Court decision that would repeal marriage equality protections.
The Respect for Marriage Act passed with all Democrats and only 47 Republicans voting “yes.” One hundred fifty-seven Republicans voted against the bill.
The bill would RevocationIn 1996, President Bill Clinton signed a homophobic law known as the Defense of Marriage Act. This law, also known as the DOMA (Defense of Marriage Act), only recognizes marriage between a woman and a man. Further, the bill would repeal laws that allow states only to recognize homophobic definitions, making it legal for gay marriage and interracial marriage to continue on the federal level.
Now, the bill is headed to the Senate. There it could have a chance of passing the 60-vote filibuster. There are several Republican senators have committed toVote in favor of the bill have said thatIt is possible that at most 10 GOP members could vote in favor of it. Senate Majority leader Chuck Schumer (D, New York) is reportedly a candidate. shopping aroundfor GOP support and is hoping that the bill will be brought to the floor soon.
If the bill becomes law, it would preemptively protect the right to gay marriage before the Supreme Court potentially repeals 2015’s Obergefell v. Hodges, which Justice Clarence Thomas has indicated could be next on the far right justices’ docket after abortion rights.
Democrats and progressives including openly homosexual members of Congress celebratedThe bill was passed, stating that marriage equality is an important step towards achieving justice for the LGBTQ community.
“Justice Thomas told us that this far-right Supreme Court is coming for marriage equality. As one of only nine openly gay members of this Congress, this attack is as personal as it gets,” said Rep. Mondaire Jones (D-New York).“Our community is counting on Congress to act. We need to pass the Respect for Marriage Act.”
As Advocates for LGBTQ have notedOver the yearsActivists have taken important steps to codify the right of same-sex marriage. For decades, fought for — but marriage equality alone doesn’t amount to true liberation for the community.
The LGBTQ community has enjoyed several major wins in recent years, including a Supreme Court ruling for 2020. that protectsWhile LGBTQ people are not discriminated against at work, they still face legal and social discrimination in this country. Last year, for example, the Supreme Court protectedAdoption agencies are supposed to have the right to discriminate against couples of same sex who want to adopt a child. Gay and trans people are also more likely. experience poverty, incarceration, suicidal ideationAnd hateful violence.
Additionally, the bill comes at an era when far-right is waging constant anti-LGBTQ assaults. These attacks range in severity from coordinated efforts to falsely label gay and trans people as “groomers” to Republicans passingA slew anti-trans bill that is fascist.
These attacks have not only resulted in fearAmong the LGBTQ community, but also outright violenceFor gay, bisexual, and trans people. Last month, a white supremacist group planned to oppose them wage an armed riot against a Pride parade in Coeur D’Alene, Idaho, but their plot was stopped by police. June overall saw a surgeAnti-LGBTQ attacks were sparked by major right-wing figures explicitly calling for violence against LGBTQ persons.
