LAS VEGAS — Silver State Equality, Nevada’s statewide LGBTQ+ civil rights organization, applauds the House of Representatives today for passing the Respect for Marriage Act, a landmark bill enshrining the rights of same-sex and interracial marriage into federal law. The bill is now sent to President Joe Biden, who is expected to sign it into law. The largely bipartisan House vote was 258 to 169, with 39 Republicans joining the Democrats in voting in favor. The same legislation passed the Senate with a vote of 61 to 36 last month, with the support of the Democratic Caucus and 12 Republicans.
The legislation repeals the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act and enshrines into law the right to marry whomever you choose and says that no government or government official may deny respect for those marriages based on the couples’ sex, race, ethnicity, or national origin. If the Supreme Court overturns its 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges ruling, which legalized same-sex marriage, a state may still pass legislation prohibiting same-sex marriage, but that state must recognize a same-sex marriage from another state.
André Wade, state director of Silver State Equality, made the following statement celebrating the bill’s passage:
“Today is a watershed moment for the LGTBQ+ community and our battle for full, lived equality. Our community has been through a lot, but today the United States Congress told millions of LGBTQ+ individuals around the country that they are seen, respected, and deserving of every legal protection — LGBTQ+ people belong to and are part of our families, communities, and country. This is an important step toward the day when all individuals are fully protected from discrimination and have the freedom to make decisions about their lives and families. “Representatives from both sides of the aisle came together today to ensure that married couples and their families will remain protected under law. In a time of escalating attacks on our LGBTQ+ communities, it is more important than ever to see our country come together to protect these fundamental rights. “The Respect for Marriage Act assures millions of LGBTQ+ and interracial couples that their marriages will be recognized and respected by states and government agencies if the Supreme Court overturns Obergefell, as Justice Thomas intimated in his opinion this summer when he supported overturning Roe v. Wade. It removes from the law the stain on LGBTQ+ people from the discriminatory “Defense of Marriage Act” and codifies what the Courts have ruled — that states and the federal government must respect validly celebrated marriages without regard to the sex, race, ethnicity, or national origin of the couple. It has broad bipartisan support because Americans from all walks of life seek to support rather than disrupt family relationships for themselves and their loved ones. “We are grateful for the leadership of Speaker Pelosi, Leader Schumer, Senators Baldwin and Collins, and Reps. Nadler and Cicilline as they worked diligently to move this vital piece of equality legislation through the Congress. We thank our Senators, Jacky Rosen and Catherine Cortez Masto, and Representatives Titus, Lee and Horsford for their strong support of this legislation and their commitment to LGBTQ+ equality. We also thank members of Congress from both sides of the aisle for the leadership and courage they showed by supporting this legislation. “Today, we will celebrate the historic passage of this legislation. Tomorrow, we wake up to continue fighting for the many needs of the LGBTQ+ community. We at Silver State Equality are committed to continuing the fight to protect transgender youth, advocate for lifesaving gender-affirming care, and will not tolerate anti-LGBTQ+ attacks. “We eagerly await President Biden’s signature on the Respect for Marriage Act.”
“Today is a watershed moment for the LGTBQ+ community and our battle for full, lived equality. Our community has been through a lot, but today the United States Congress told millions of LGBTQ+ individuals around the country that they are seen, respected, and deserving of every legal protection — LGBTQ+ people belong to and are part of our families, communities, and country. This is an important step toward the day when all individuals are fully protected from discrimination and have the freedom to make decisions about their lives and families.
“Representatives from both sides of the aisle came together today to ensure that married couples and their families will remain protected under law. In a time of escalating attacks on our LGBTQ+ communities, it is more important than ever to see our country come together to protect these fundamental rights.
“The Respect for Marriage Act assures millions of LGBTQ+ and interracial couples that their marriages will be recognized and respected by states and government agencies if the Supreme Court overturns Obergefell, as Justice Thomas intimated in his opinion this summer when he supported overturning Roe v. Wade. It removes from the law the stain on LGBTQ+ people from the discriminatory “Defense of Marriage Act” and codifies what the Courts have ruled — that states and the federal government must respect validly celebrated marriages without regard to the sex, race, ethnicity, or national origin of the couple. It has broad bipartisan support because Americans from all walks of life seek to support rather than disrupt family relationships for themselves and their loved ones.
“We are grateful for the leadership of Speaker Pelosi, Leader Schumer, Senators Baldwin and Collins, and Reps. Nadler and Cicilline as they worked diligently to move this vital piece of equality legislation through the Congress. We thank our Senators, Jacky Rosen and Catherine Cortez Masto, and Representatives Titus, Lee and Horsford for their strong support of this legislation and their commitment to LGBTQ+ equality. We also thank members of Congress from both sides of the aisle for the leadership and courage they showed by supporting this legislation.
“Today, we will celebrate the historic passage of this legislation. Tomorrow, we wake up to continue fighting for the many needs of the LGBTQ+ community. We at Silver State Equality are committed to continuing the fight to protect transgender youth, advocate for lifesaving gender-affirming care, and will not tolerate anti-LGBTQ+ attacks.
“We eagerly await President Biden’s signature on the Respect for Marriage Act.”
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As Nevada’s statewide LGBTQ+ civil rights organization, Silver State Equality brings the voices of LGBTQ+ people and allies to institutions of power in Nevada and throughout the U.S. Silver State Equality strives to create a world that is healthy, just and fully equal for all LGBTQ+ people. Silver State Equality is a Nevada-based program affiliated with and supported by Equality California and Equality California Institute, the nation’s largest statewide LGBTQ+ civil rights organization. More information at SilverStateEquality.org.
