Sunday, June 26, 2016

June 26 is National #LGBTEquality Day (1 Year Since Nationwide Marriage Equality!)


Today is June 26 and it is being called "National LGBT Equality Day" by openly lesbian United States Senator (I just love saying that!!) Tammy Baldwin. This year, June 26th is the one-year anniversary of the release of Obergefell v. Hodges (which legalized marriage equality nationwide), the 3-year anniversary of United States v. Windsor (which repealed the so-called Defense of Marriage Act) and Hollingsworth v. Perry (which repealed Proposition 8 and restored marriage equality to California) and the 13-year anniversary of Lawrence v. Texas (which struck down any remaining laws criminalizing homosexuality).

Those are some pretty momentous events which should be officially commemorated, I think!

Hillary Clinton thinks so, as well:
“One year ago today, we celebrated a watershed moment for equality in America. Thanks to the bravery of LGBT Americans like Jim Obergefell and Edie Windsor, and the determination and tireless organizing of the LGBT community and their allies, marriage equality became the law of the land in all 50 states. 
“Over the last year, more barriers to equality have fallen – including, finally, the last state law banning same-sex couples from adopting. Just this month, President Obama designated Stonewall as the first national monument commemorating LGBT history in America. 
“We’ve also seen how much work is still unfinished. The attack in Orlando broke our hearts, and reminded us that LGBT people – particularly people of color – are still targets for harassment and violence. Discriminatory laws in states like North Carolina highlight the need for full federal equality under the law for LGBT Americans. And Donald Trump’s pledge to consider appointing Supreme Court justices who would overturn marriage equality underscores the fact that so much of the progress we’ve made is at stake in November. 
“But even when the road ahead seems daunting, never forget: on this day in history, love triumphed in the highest court in the land. Today, our march toward a more perfect union continues—toward equality, dignity, and justice for all.”

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