President Joe Biden Signs Same-Sex Marriage Act: Why It Matters
President Joe Biden signs legislation to protect same-sex and interracial marriage with some stars backing him up.
US President Joe Biden signed legislation to protect the same-sex marriage act and interracial marriage. This is following months of negotiations and controversies around it.
Vice President Kamala Harri accompanied him as well as members of the Senate and Congress. They formalized what is known as the Respect for Marriage Act.
What is the Respect for Marriage Act?
The Respect for Marriage Act prevents states, regardless of their marriage laws, from using “sex, race, national origin or ethnicity” of a married couple from denying their basic and constitutional rights. The act also states that the government must recognize the marriage of two individuals if the marriage was was valid in the state where it was conducted.
“For most of our nation’s history, we denied interracial couples and same-sex couples from these protections,” Biden said during the signing. “It failed to treat them with equal dignity and respect. And now, this law requires an interracial marriage, and same-sex marriage must be recognized as legal in every state in the nation.”
“Today is a good day,” he added. “A day America takes a vital step toward equality, for liberty and justice – not just for some, but for everyone. Toward creating a nation where decency, dignity, and love are recognized, honored, and protected.”
On Instagram, Vice President Kamala Harris also expressed her joy for the legalization of the Respect for Marriage Act.
“Today, @POTUS signed the Respect for Marriage Act. Marriage equality is finally federal law. It’s a good day.”
Star Power
Aside from politicians, singers Sam Smith and Cyndi Lauper attended the signing of the Respect for Marriage Act. Both have expressed their support as part of the LBTQIA+ community. Sam Smith performed “Stay with Me” while Cyndi Lauper did one of her biggest hits, “True Colors.”
“We can rest easy tonight because our families are validated,” Lauper said during a quick briefing at the White House as per ABC News.
“And because now we’re allowed to love who we love, which sounds odd to say. But Americans can now love who we love and bless Joe Biden and all the people that worked on this for allowing people not to worry and their children not to worry about their future.”
Also present at the signing were Club Q founder Matthew Haynes and survivors of the shooting in the LBTQIA+ nightclub in Colorado last month.
Why the Act Matters
The signing of the Respect for Marriage Act comes following discussions between Congress and the Senate. Particularly on the issue of religion. Moreover, it was a top priority for the Democrats following the overturning of provisions of Roe vs Wade in June—specifically on abortion.
Most recently, hate crimes against the LGBTQIA+ community continue in the US. Incidents like the Colorado shooting at an LGBTQ nightclub killed 5 people and injured 17.
In 2016, 49 people were killed in a shooting at the Pulse Gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida. It was considered one of the deadliest at that time.
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