US President, Joe Biden, has signed into law on Tuesday December 13, the Respect for Marriage Act mandating federal recognition for same-sex marriages, marking a major milestone in the fight for gay rights that follows a seismic change in the nation’s attitudes.
The President signed the Respect for Marriage Act before thousands of invited guests on the South Lawn at an event the White House said reflected the importance of the moment. The new law officially voids the Defense of Marriage Act, which defined marriage as between a man and a woman. It mandates that states honor the validity of out-of-state marriage licenses, including same-sex and interracial unions.
The new law will further protect same-sex marriages if the Supreme Court were to overturn the landmark Obergefell v. Hodges decision, which in 2015 legalized same-sex marriages in the U.S.
For President Biden, his signature on the legislation strengthens a reputation as the most pro-LGBTQ president in U.S. history, a legacy that started when, as Vice President in May 2012, Biden got ahead of his boss, President Barack Obama, by disclosing that he was “absolutely comfortable” with men marrying men or women marrying women.
“My fellow Americans, the road to this moment has been long, but those who believe in equality and justice, you never gave up. This law and the love it defends strike a blow against hate in all its forms.
“Look, we’re here today to celebrate their courage and everyone who made the day possible.”
Joe Biden
The Respect for Marriage Act was passed with bipartisan support in both chambers of Congress after months of negotiation, particularly over provisions related to religion. The House voted last week 258-169 to send the bill to Biden’s desk after the Senate passed it 61-36. A minority of Republicans joined Democrats in both votes.
President Biden further noted, drawing on a now-infamous appearance he made as Vice President on Meet the Press in 2012: “Today, I sign the Respect for Marriage Act into law. Deciding who to marry is one of the most profound decisions a person can make. As I’ve said before, and some of you might remember, on a certain TV show ten years ago marriage is a simple proposition: who do you love and will you be loyal to that person you love? It’s not more complicated than that.” Biden noted
Lawmakers from both parties were there, as well as first lady Jill Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff. Singers Sam Smith and Cyndi Lauper performed.
The Respect For Marriage Act
The Respect for Marriage Act officially appeals the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, or DOMA, which defined marriage as involving a man and woman and gave states the authority to refuse recognition of same-sex couples who had married.
It was first introduced in 2009 and, though it passed the House and was moved to the Senate floor in 2011, the Senate vote never occurred. After Obergefell v. Hodges, a landmark civil rights case that reached the Supreme Court, legalized same-sex marriage nationwide on June 26, 2015, there seemed to be no reason to continue pushing for it until the events of this year.
On June 24, in the most significant unraveling of human rights in modern history, the heavily conservative Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, eliminating pregnant people’s constitutional right to abortion and paving a path to come for contraceptives and same-sex relationships next.
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