9 States Push to Overturn Marriage Equality
In Idaho, a resolution was proposed in January that targeted Obergefell v. Hodges.
This resolution, called House Joint Memorial 1, was approved. In the weeks following, similar resolutions have been proposed in four other states: Michigan, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Montana, with the most success found in the movement championed by Republican Michigan State Rep. Josh Schriver.
Obergefell v. Hodges required that all 50 states issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, as well as recognize valid same-sex marriages performed in other states. It consolidated multiple lawsuits challenging state bans on same-gender marriage, with James Obergefell from Ohio serving as the lead plaintiff.
Four other states, while not explicitly targeting Obergefell v. Hodges, have begun to rumble. Most concerning is the proposed Tennessee legislature that outlines an exceptional category known as “covenant marriage.” This category would be limited exclusively to marriage between a man and a woman who “understand that marriage is a lifelong commitment.” Beyond restricting conditions for ending the marriage—which exacerbates existent issues such as abuse and infidelity—such a motion would introduce opportunity for discrimination in housing, employment, insurance, and various other areas of daily life.
While it is unlikely that Obergefell v. Hodges will be overturned on a national level, the small laws that undermine its principles create gaps in the armor that open doors for larger movements to follow.
It’s baffling to think that the line between church and state has become so blurred that these sorts of bills can even be proposed, let alone get as far as they have. That’s not to say that all religion is bad—Indeed, religion can provide solidarity, community, purpose, and can be a positive force in many people’s life for the funding and volunteer resources that it attracts. However, where there is money, there is power, and where there is power, there is opportunity for things to go horribly, horribly wrong.
There should never be a point where an individual forces their values and standard of living upon another person to the point where it invalidates their autonomy. Such is a violation of liberty and freedom of choice, fundamental values that our country was founded on. It is tragic that we have strayed so far.
On the positive side of the coin, while the U.S. slips backwards, the rest of the world moves forwards to take the torch. Thailand legalized same-gender marriage on January 23. To celebrate, they held a big ceremony featuring hundreds of weddings, and the event was even attended by several politicians. If you’re raring for some good news, you can read more about this joyous occasion here.
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