A colorful history of LGBTQ pride in America
President Biden signs the Respect for Marriage Act to protect same-sex marriage rights across the country
© Getty Images
From tiny gatherings to the assassinations of political figures, there are many key moments in American history that have spurred the LGBTQ rights movement of liberation and equality on to become the joyous occasion that people now partake in worldwide come Pride.
Another one of these pivotal moments occurred on Dec. 13. when President Biden signed the Respect for Marriage Act, securing the freedom of same-sex couples to marry and enjoy the same rights as heterosexual couples. The landmark bill provides federal protection for marriage rights across the US. Biden signed it into law to the great relief of the LGBTQ+ community and its many allies, who feared for such rights after the conservative-leaning Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June of 2022. Following that devastating decision, Biden warned that Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas "explicitly called to reconsider the right of marriage equality, the right of couples to make their choices on contraception. This is an extreme and dangerous path the Court is now taking us on.”
The Respect for Marriage Act was passed in the senate at the end of November and officially became law with the President's signature on Dec. 13. This protects it from being overturned by a Supreme Court ruling and makes defunct the outdated Defense of Marriage Act of 1996 which defined marriage as a union between a man and a woman.
Check out this gallery to learn more about the tumultuous ride of the LGBTQ in the US, and how it translated to the rest of the world.
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