As We See It

Keep moving forward: A personal reflection on the SCOTUS marriage equality decision

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Photo: L.E. Baskow

No freedom ’til we’re equal, damn right I support it. I was on my way to the Center’s marriage equality Decision Day Rally Friday when I heard Macklemore & Ryan Lewis’ “Same Love” on 94.1. I teared up thinking about the generations of LGBTQ people and their allies who fought for such a basic human right, how far our country has come in terms of progressive thought, and how the youth of America can grow up in a more just and compassionate nation.

I thought back to my teenage years, when same-sex marriage bans swept the nation, including my native Nevada. Then a 14-year-old trying to cope with his sexuality, I felt so defeated and isolated the day my state said no to two grooms on a wedding cake. It hurt more than any name my classmates hurled. Stay in the closet, it said. Being gay is not desirable. It is difficult.

Decision Day Rally at The Center

A decade and a half later, 57 percent of Americans favor marriage equality, according to the Pew Research Center. That’s a massive shift from the 57 percent who opposed it in 2001. Since the Supreme Court released its decision on Friday, 26 million Facebook users have filtered their profile pictures with rainbow pride. Scrolling through my feed, I noticed some of my more conservative and religious friends jumping on the pride bandwagon. LGBTQ kids will grow up in this world, one where their government recognizes them as full citizens, with constant reminders of support from friends and family, progressive companies, forward-thinking celebrities, anyone wanting LGBTQ individuals to know, We care about you—and your equal rights.

The same gay-marriage anthem was emanating from the Center’s Downtown facility when I arrived to see smiling faces and rainbow flags held high. The full LGBTQ spectrum was represented, along with straight allies—young and old, minorities, religious and elected officials. Revelers posed with a giant rainbow flag to document a special day in America’s history. The national anthem was sung and the Pledge of Allegiance recited. And during a prayer led by Jamie Lee Sprague-Ballou, the Trans Pride organizer described the day: “We say the Pledge of Allegiance and feel the equality in the words.” With liberty and justice for all.

But the fight for LGBTQ Americans is far from over, as state assemblyman Nelson Araujo reminded. “We need to put our bootstraps back on and fight for full equality.” Specifically, Center President Raul Daniels said, there’s further work to be done on bullying in schools and workplace discrimination.

Walking out, I noticed a comment written on a rainbow poster that summarized the mission ahead. Keep moving forward. And we will.

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