How amazing is this?!

On 3/6, HRC delivered The People’s Brief to the US Supreme Court.  Over 200,000 people added their names to The People’s Brief which asked the Supreme Court to provide marriage equality to same-sex couples in the United States.  The People’s Brief has more signatories than any amicus brief ever submitted to the Supreme Court.  BAM.  

Obergefell v. Hodges is the marriage equality case that will be heard by the Supreme Court on 4/28/15.  This case is a HISTORIC moment in history.  Specifically for gay rights movement.   I had the HONOR of hearing the named plaintiff, Jim Obergefell  speak recently.  Long story short, Jim and his partner were together for 20+ years.   Sadly, Jim’s partner John Arthur was diagnosed with ALS so they had to make some very tough decisions.  Jim and John bravely decided to seal the deal and get married.  They had to leave the state to do this as they couldn’t get married in their own home state of Ohio.   Through the generous help of friends and family, Jim and John flew to Maryland to get married.   Jim required a medical team in order to travel as he was bedridden due to the advancement of ALS.  They married in June of 2013 and John died several months later.

When hearing Jim speak, you can’t help but get emotional.   Here he is grieving as his life partner is diagnosed with a terminal illness.  There are many different rights that come with being married.  One of which is having your partner listed as your surviving spouse on your death certificate.  Something to think about…a heterosexual couple can get married with zero restrictions or conditions.  They are provided all the legal benefits of marriage and their relationship is acknowledged regardless of the duration of their relationship.  Imagine what it must feel like to not have your 20+ year relationship acknowledged by same government you have paid tax to your entire life.
Hopefully, we will soon look back at the fight for marriage equality and say “remember when”.   It feels pretty darn good to be able to say I am on the right side of history 🙂