Celebrating 10 Years of Marriage Equality

Where were you and what were you doing on June 26, 2015? For me, it was just another day at the office. So why did I bring up this date, you ask? Because today is the 10-year anniversary of marriage equality becoming the law of the land in all 50 states. The United States became the 21st country to legalize same-sex marriage nationwide. It was a huge victory for the us, the LGBTQ+ community, activists, and same-sex couples themselves. Two other groundbreaking rulings also happened on this day: Propositional 8 and the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). Propositional 8, also known as Prop 8, was a California ballot proposition that passed in November 2008, which previously prohibited Californian same-sex couples from marrying. In 2010, it was ruled unconstitutional and didn't go into effect until 2013. The Defense of Marriage Act, or DOMA, was a law that was passed and signed by then President Bill Clinton in 1996. It previously prevented the government from recognizing gay and lesbian couples. However, it was later struck down, specifically Section 3 (1 U.S.C. § 7).

Fast forward to 2025, President Trump is back in the White House for a second term. This time around, he and his administration has taken their bigotry and dislike of us to new levels. One example is them determining that male and female are the only genders that will be recognized. Another is bullying and pressuring many companies to end their DEI programs. In case you weren't aware, companies such as Walmart and McDonald's have either scaled back or entirely eliminated their Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion (DEI) programs. This move has cause widespread backlash, causing Pride events struggling to find companies to sponsor them. The Pride parade in my area, which I'll be attending, was on the verge of not happening this year, due to the ridiculous political pressure from the President. They had to raise $30,000 in order to save it and find new sponsors. Luckily, they have surpassed their goal. President Trump claimed, without evidence, that DEI programs are racist against white people and aren't needed. DEI programs are important and needed, because no one should be denied a job or be discriminated against, because of one's gender, race, disability, or sexual orientation. I saw this pin on Pinterest recently and it read: "No one is 'forcing' diversity--it has always existed." I can never understand why inclusion and diversity are so controversial, even in 2025. Treating everyone with respect and dignity, including us, is not a personal attack towards you, nor it's indoctrination, which I'll discuss in a bit. It's about having humanity and showing empathy for people different from you. They don't cost a thing, and you should try it.

Healthcare workers, we need to talk. If you're a doctor or nurse that flat out refuses to provide transgender youth and adults the care that they desperately need because of a "sincerely held religious belief", then you shouldn't be working in the healthcare field at all. Your license should be revoked and never allowed to work in a hospital and permanently banned from working at any healthcare facility. Where does it say in the Bible that you can't provide transgender people respectful and adequate care? You took a Hippocratic oath to do no harm. Denying them care will lead to them feeling depressed and other problems. If you're unable to do your job, it's best for you to retire.

I have a few things to say to those who are highly opposed of us and seeking to be treated equally as heterosexual people. If you're so happy in your marriages, how does someone else's marriage affect yours? It shouldn't, because same-sex couples deserve to live fulfilling and productive lives. You have a right to believe in whatever beliefs you want, but you don't have a right to make theirs or our lives more difficult than it already is. If were not bothering you and just living our lives, why do you care? Either be an ally to us or leave us alone and let people be. You having a religious belief is not a valid excuse or reason to dislike us. If you got a chance to know us, we're very kind and loving people. You don't have to like us, but I ask you to stop spreading false information and lies about us. It would only discourage people from coming out and being their genuine and authentic selves. You can't agree to disagree with someone's existence. How people live their lives is none of your business. Stop looking for ways to be upset over things that are out of your control and has nothing to do with you. It's not smart to constantly search for problems that aren't there. Finally, calling individuals by their preferred pronouns is also not an attack towards you. It's not even an attack towards your religious beliefs. It's about having respect and common decency for them. To the Conservative politicians: homophobia and transphobia kills. If you're introducing and passing laws in order to make ours or someone else's lives more difficult, you are to blame and responsible.

The word indoctrination has been a huge buzz word in conservative circles. It's basically another word for brainwashing. Conservatives, including Republican politicians, have accused us, schools, and libraries of pushing certain agendas on their children and children everywhere. The only "agenda" we're spreading is encouraging everyone to treat LGBTQ+ people with dignity, compassion, and respect. We're not asking for special treatment, a claim that they and their Republican cohorts have been falsely claiming for God knows how long. Treating others with respect and compassion is not indoctrination. They are traits that everyone should display towards others every day. I'm going to dispel and squash a claim that I've been hearing for years from Conservatives: we're making straight kids gay, trans, or other. This claim is 100% false. We want queer kids to be themselves, live authentically as they are, and not end up dead. Let me address bigoted parents who refuse to accept their children for who they are. You don't have the right to make your child or children feel less than who they are. If you bully them, because they came out to you and you're unaccepting, you don't deserve the title of "mom" or "dad." You are horrible parents. Real parents love and accept their own children unconditionally. Our parents are our first bullies, so if you're currently in a situation where your parents are unwilling to accept you, run for the hills and never look back. It's important to believe people the first time when they show you who they really are. You deserve to be loved, accepted, and valued. Surround yourself with people who are willing to love, accept, and appreciate you. Trust me, I've been there.

After coming out in 2012, advocating for other LGBTQ+ people, including those who are non-binary, became one of the causes I believed in. I don't want them harmed, harassed, or discriminated against. My now estranged parents were Conservative and had to hide my true self for almost 20 years. I was taught growing up to believe that gay people were evil and deserve to go to Hell. As I've gotten a lot older and finally came out, I didn't want to have and promote those hateful views. Instead, I geared towards loving and accepting everyone as they are. As I've stated in my previous stories, if me giving a damn for others and their plights makes me woke, because y'all love to throw that word around, then so be it. I refuse to let a bigoted and heartless administration treat us or others with disrespect. I also refuse to ignore homophobia and transphobia. We refuse to stay silent, because our voices will only become louder.

In closing, and on a lighter note, marriage equality is a beautiful thing for this country. I'm not married, but someday, I hope to meet and marry that special someone to spend the rest of my life with. If people are happy with their significant other, I just let them be. Our fight for equal rights isn't over and don't let a bully like Trump or his cohorts devalue and dehumanize you. You are worthy and deserve to exist.

If you're married, how long have you been with your partner? I would like to hear your stories of how you found true love. It would encourage me to find that special guy and marry him. Be sure to like this story if you enjoyed it. Also, follow me on my socials. Finally, please send me a one-off tip at the end of this story to support my work as I continue to write and publish more stories.

Peace, love, and rainbows!