Obergefell v. Hodges Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage, But Is It Really a Win?

On June 26th, 2015, the Supreme Court of the United States issued a landmark ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide. The 5-4 decision was hailed as a major victory for LGBTQ+ rights and advocates everywhere celebrated the historic moment. However, it is important to remember that this ruling does not guarantee equality or acceptance for all members of the LGBTQ+ community. While it may be legal for two people of the same gender to marry each other, there are still many places where they will not be accepted or even safe due to their sexual orientation or gender identity. In addition, while this ruling is an important step forward in terms of legal recognition and protection for same-sex couples, it does not address some of the more pressing issues facing LGBTQ+ individuals today such as employment discrimination and access to healthcare. There are still many states that do not have laws protecting against discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity which means that even if someone is legally married they can still face discrimination in areas such as housing and employment. Furthermore, while this ruling has been celebrated by many as a victory for equal rights and freedom from discrimination, there are still those who oppose it vehemently and continue to fight against it with everything they have. This opposition can take many forms including hate speech and violence directed at members of the LGBTQ+ community which can make them feel unsafe in their own homes or communities. Ultimately, while Obergefell v. Hodges was an important milestone in terms of legal recognition for same-sex couples across America, there is still much work to be done before true equality can be achieved for all members of the LGBTQ+ community regardless of their marital status or location within our country's borders. Until then we must remain vigilant in our fight against injustice and intolerance wherever we find it so that everyone can live freely without fear or prejudice regardless of who they love or how they identify themselves.