As we anticipate the ruling of the Supreme Court, the question still lingers: is same-sex marriage destined for all LGBTQ individuals? Will the discrimination laws in Michigan and Indiana be overturned?
If the Supreme Court decides to rule in our favor, this will be a major victory for many people across the United States. If they rule the other way, then this will be a major blow to our hard work and dedication. Since the projected ruling is not until June, we still have to keep our fingers crossed for the right not to be discriminated against and to have the same right to housing, health care, and adoption rights.
As I stood on the Supreme Court steps, seeing advocates for same-sex marriage (and people who were against same-sex marriage), I couldn’t help but get caught up in the energy of the movement.
“There are still going to be a lot of people who are for marriage equality and against marriage equality,” said LGBTQ ally Paul Manning. “While the people who are against marriage equality say gay marriage will cause the family to be broken, [there are] people who are growing up in single family homes and living in a broken home already; and one person doesn’t have the right to put their business in someone else’s life. Why deny the people the right to be happy? Put yourself in their shoes.”
Other people who are for marriage equality, believe that marriage equality won’t end discrimination. “Gay people will continue to get discriminated against, whether or not marriage equality gets approved in June. If people who are against marriage equality will follow the constitution, then the discrimination laws will go away,” says Kat Dersha.
While at the Supreme Court, the Gay Men’s Chorus sang songs and opponents of marriage equality did prayers. After hearing both sides of the argument while at the Supreme Court yesterday, I realized the struggle continues to fight for marriage equality whether or not the Supreme Court decides to rule in favor of same-sex marriage. We have a lot of work to do during the upcoming months (and years).
