Jim Obergefell, the named plaintiff in the Obergefell v. Hodges Supreme Court case that legalized same sex marriage nationwide, is backed by supporters of the courts ruling on same-sex marriage on the step of the Texas Capitol during a rally Monday, June 29, 2015, in Austin. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) Jim Obergefell reflects on the fate of marriage equality Jim Obergefell | Special Contributor Via QSyndicate In June 26, 2024, our nation marked nine years of marriage equality.
As one of more than 30 plaintiffs in the U.S. Supreme Court case that affirmed same-sex couples’ right to marry, this anniversary should have filled me with nothing but joy.
I did experience joy, but also foreboding — a fear that Obergefell v. Hodges might not survive to its 10th anniversary. Over these nine years, hundreds of thousands of couples have married, and thousands of families have formed.
Whether they want marriage or not, queer people see a future that includes them. A young woman once told me that, if it weren’t for Obergefell v.