The man whose name is synonymous with marriage equality is a board member of the LGBTQ+ organization Family Equality and co-founded Equality Vines, which donates profits to the cause of equality.
He is also an executive producer at the JustMarried Project, which reinforces arguments for marriage equality through the storytelling of queer couples.By now, his own story is well known.
In 2011, Obergefell’s longtime partner, John Arthur, was diagnosed with ALS. In 2013, Obergefell and Arthur were legally married in Maryland.
However, due to Ohio’s ban, Obergefell would not be listed as Arthur’s surviving spouse on his death certificate, so they filed suit demanding recognition of their marriage.