John,

Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas has indicated he’s ready to overturn marriage equality.

More than 30 states contain statutes or constitutional amendments banning same-sex marriage and 16 states still had laws banning interracial marriage in 1967 (the year that Loving v. Virginia was decided, which overturned such bans). The last state to officially remove anti-interracial marriage laws from its state constitution was Alabama, which did so in 2000.

If Justice Thomas gets his way and overturns marriage equality, legal marriages in two-thirds of the country could be invalidated immediately.

The U.S. House has taken the lead and passed the Respect for Marriage Act, a bill that would enshrine into federal law the right to same-sex and interracial marriage, as well as repeal the Defense of Marriage Act, a law allowing states to refuse to recognize same-sex marriages. Now the Senate must act.

Tell the Senate to pass the Respect for Marriage Act and protect the fundamental rights to same-sex and interracial marriage!

Thank you for all that you do,

Nicolai Haddal
Field and Events Manager, Coalition on Human Needs

-- DEBORAH'S EMAIL --

John,

The most recent Supreme Court term saw some of the most unpopular rulings in decades. Rulings that rolled back climate protections, gun control measures, and civil rights showed just how unaccountable this court is. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas indicated that SCOTUS would come for other rights next, including the right to same-sex marriage.

During this time of increased attacks against trans people and other members of the LGBTQ+ community, we cannot leave the rights of marginalized communities up to the unelected Supreme Court.

The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Respect for Marriage Act, a bill that would enshrine into federal law the right to same-sex and interracial marriage, as well as repeal the Defense of Marriage Act, a law allowing states to refuse to recognize same-sex marriages. Now it's up to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to bring this bill up for a vote and pass this historic legislation.

Congress can protect the right to marry by passing the Respect for Marriage Act. The House has done its part and now it’s time for the Senate to do the right thing and send this bill to President Biden’s desk. Join us in this call to action!

The overwhelming majority of Americans support interracial and same-sex marriage. If we don't enshrine these fundamental rights to love who we choose to love, we certainly cannot count on the Supreme Court to protect those rights. And once the Court issues its ruling, marriage equality would immediately be illegal in two-thirds of the country because more than 30 states already contain statutes or constitutional amendments prohibiting same-sex marriage that were invalidated by the Court’s original ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges.

Sign the petition to the Senate: Pass the Respect for Marriage Act!

Together, we’re saying in one unified voice: Love is love!

With you in this fight,

Deborah Weinstein
Executive Director, Coalition on Human Needs