It’s official, John: President Biden just signed the Respect for Marriage Act into law!
At a time when LGBTQ+ people, especially LGBTQ+ kids, are under attack, and when the Supreme Court is on the brink of endorsing discrimination based on who you are, this achievement is especially consequential. The story of this country, and the march towards equality, is not a straight line, but it is more important than ever to celebrate progress when it comes. After decades of struggle and sacrifice by millions of Americans fighting for marriage equality, this legislation FINALLY codifies same-sex and interracial marriages into federal law.
Now, all couples can rest assured that their right to marry whoever they love will be protected – even if the Supreme Court were to overturn the right to marriage guaranteed by the Obergefell decision.
As the first openly LGBTQ+ woman to represent Vermont in Congress, this day means so much to me. When my wife Elizabeth and I were first married, we had to have the Justice of the Peace perform a Civil Union because Civil Marriage for same-sex couples was not yet legal in Vermont. To see how far not just Vermont but the entire country has come since then makes me so proud.
In honor of this historic milestone for our nation, I’m holding a joint fundraiser with Senator Tammy Baldwin, the first openly LGBTQ+ woman to be elected to both the House AND the Senate. Will you split a donation between me and Tammy Baldwin today to celebrate the signing of the Respect for Marriage Act?
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