By Angelina Tang
On Thursday, December 8th, the U.S. Congress passed the Respect for Marriage Act, which protects one’s right to same-sex marriages. It is a landmark law that repeals the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act and is a huge step forward for LGBT equality and rights in the United States.
The legislation has been a work in progress since summer of 2022, when, after the overturning of Roe v. Wade, Justice Clarence Thomas said that the court should reconsider rights to contraception and equal marriage as well. This set off a wave of bipartisan support in the House of Representatives for same-sex marriage protection, pushing the Senate to pass it. After a few starts and stops, in October, they managed to get the votes they needed by revising the act and ensuring that religious institutions cannot be punished for refusing to acknowledge same-sex marriage.
The vote was bipartisan 258-169 in the House, but that is not to say that Republicans liked it. Despite the revisions garnering enough Senate Republican support to pass, only 39 House Republicans voted in favor. Many are still denouncing it, saying that it “demonizes biblical values,” “is dangerous,” and “disrespects God’s definition of marriage.”
However, the act has had many supporters, including Speaker Nancy Pelosi, whose tenure ends at the beginning of January 2023 and is satisfied with signing this bill to finish off her post. She has consistently fought for LGBT rights throughout her thirteen years as Speaker.
The bill has since gone to President Joe Biden, who also strongly supports it, and will be signed by him soon.
