Friend –

Ten years ago today, the Supreme Court ruled that queer couples could marry anywhere in the United States in Obergefell v. Hodges – my case.

It was the first time in my life, as an out gay man, that I felt like an equal American. I wish my husband, John, could have lived to see it.

Of course, I knew there would be pushback – there always is when we make progress on civil rights. But I never thought that 10 years later, I'd be worried about marriage equality continuing as a right in our nation.

Yet, here we are, heading backward instead of forward with an administration that seems hell-bent on denying queer people – and many others – their humanity. This is not who we are as a nation, founded on the words, "we the people."

Those words and the rights enshrined in our Constitution apply to every single one of us. And just as they did in 2015, when they joined my legal team and helped affirm the right to marriage equality across the country, the ACLU is tirelessly fighting every day to defend them. So right now, with LGBTQ rights and so much more on the line, will you join me in making a generous donation to help the ACLU fight for our rights and civil liberties?

Think about the future you want to live in, ACLU Supporter.

Personally, I want a future where an LGBTQ young person doesn't have to be afraid to be authentically themselves. That's what I'm fighting for, and that's what the ACLU is fighting for, and I hope you'll join us in this fight today.

The work ahead – from filing lawsuits and taking them all the way to the Supreme Court, to working in communities across the country to advocate for trans and queer people's right to thrive, to putting pressure on lawmakers in ways that protect LGBTQ rights – is not quick or easy, and it takes a lot of resources.

Those resources come from ACLU members across all 50 states, D.C., Puerto Rico, and beyond – and it'll take all of us, ACLU Supporter. So please join me in supporting the ACLU today.

We're in this together. Thank you for your partnership in advancing the future we all share.

With pride, gratitude, and solidarity,

Jim Obergefell
Pronouns: He, him, his