WASHINGTON – President Joe Biden signed historical legislation Tuesday protection of same-sex marriage at the national levelwhich marked an important milestone in the struggle for gay rights, which followed a major shift in the nation’s attitudes.
At a ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House, Biden signed The Respect for Marriage Act, making it law that all states recognize same-sex and interracial marriages. Democratic and Republican lawmakers, LGBTQ advocates and plaintiffs in marriage equality cases were among the thousands in attendance.
“Today, America is taking an important step toward equality, toward freedom and justice not just for some, but for all,” Biden said. “Towards building a nation where decency, dignity and love are recognised, honored and protected.”
A new law would protect same-sex marriage if the Supreme Court overturns the landmark Obergefell v. Hodges, which in 2015 legalized same-sex marriage in the United States
Biden said the new law gives all married couples the federal protections that come with marriage, such as legal recognition as an “next of kin” when a spouse is ill.
“For most of our nation’s history, we have denied these protections to interracial and same-sex couples,” the president said. “We failed to treat them with the same dignity and respect. Interracial marriage is now required by law, and same-sex marriage must be legal in every state in the country.”
more:‘We feel safer’: Same-sex couples share uncertain enthusiasm as Respect for Marriage Act passes
This was followed by a push to codify gay rights and interracial marriage in Congress Associate Justice Clarence Thomas urged Supreme Court to ‘reconsider’ other rights established by the Supreme Court in connection with its June ruling that Americans no longer have the right to an abortion.
Thomas, in supporting the overturning of Roe v. Wade, argued that it does not allow states to ban contraception, same-sex couples, and same-sex marriage.
After the bill passed the House, Biden pointed to the “uncertainty” following the Dobbs ruling that overturned Roe, saying the new law restores “safeguards for millions of marriages and families.”
Between 2,000 and 3,000 lawmakers and advocates attended the signing ceremony on the South Lawn on Tuesday, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.
“Passing the Respect for Marriage Act was not just the right thing to do for America. It was personal for us, our employees and our families. And it’s certainly personal for me,” Schumer said. “The tie I wear reminds me of what this moment is. This is the tie I wore the day my daughter married a beautiful young lady, it was one of the happiest days of my life.’
The ceremony also featured star singers Sam Smith, who is non-binary, and Cyndi Lauper, who sang “Stay With Me” and “True Colors,” respectively. Dozens of past plaintiffs who fought for marriage equality watched the ceremony from the White House steps.
Lauper, who advocates for LGBTQ rights, thanked the president and those who helped pass the bill.
“We can rest easy tonight because our families are vindicated,” Loper said during a special White House press briefing. “Now we are allowed to love who we love.”
more:How Joe Biden Became the Most LGBTQ-Friendly President in US History
For Biden, his signature on the legislation cements his reputation as the most LGBTQ-friendly president in U.S. history — a legacy that began when, as vice president in May 2012, Biden outed his boss, President Barack Obama, by saying he was “absolutely comfortable “, when men marry men and women marry women.
“What a simple proposition this is. Who do you love?” Biden said at the time during an appearance on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”
Biden recalled the moment during a speech Tuesday — “I’m in trouble,” he joked — and asked the same question he did 10 years ago: “Who do you love? And will you be faithful to the person you love?”
He added: “It is no longer difficult. This law recognizes that everyone should have the right to answer these questions for themselves without government intervention.”
In 2021, there were about 710,000 married same-sex families in the United States and about 500,000 unmarried same-sex couples, according to the Census Bureau’s annual American Community Survey.
The new law does not require states to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, but that they recognize the legality of valid marriages performed elsewhere.
more:‘We feel safer’: Same-sex couples share uncertain enthusiasm as Respect for Marriage Act passes
Last week, the legislation passed the House 258-169, with 39 Republicans joining all Democrats, and passed the Senate 61-39, with 12 Republicans voting in favor.
The bipartisan vote reflects a rapid shift in attitudes toward same-sex marriage that even many Democrats were unwilling to support a decade ago.
Biden concluded his remarks by pointing to emerging societal issues: “If a person can be married in the morning and kicked out of a restaurant for being gay in the afternoon, that’s still wrong,” he said.
Biden expressed support for legislation expanding federal civil rights laws to LGBTQ people and said “we have to stop the hate and the violence” during the shooting at an LGBTQ bar in Colorado Springs, Colo., that left five dead and many others are injured. He also cited “hundreds of heartless, cynical” bills introduced in many states targeting transgender people.
“The antidote to hate is love,” the president said. “This law, and the love it protects, strikes back against hate in all its forms.”
Connect with Joey Garrison on Twitter @joeygarrison.
