Hillary Clinton: It’s time for marriage equality to become a reality across the US
Hillary Clinton has written an open letter calling for the Supreme Court to finally rule in favour of same-sex marriage in all 50 states.
Friends,
Not long ago, I received a letter from a man named Kevin in Georgia whose marriage is recognized in 37 states and DC, but not his own.
“Our marriage is special and real, functional and worthy of respect,” he wrote.
Any day now, the Supreme Court will decide whether or not to recognize marriages across the country. Like millions of people, I’m waiting and hoping.
And I’m thinking of families like Kevin’s. LGBT couples should not have to make a case for their relationship. Every family deserves to be recognized under the law and treated equally in our society—not just in some states, but in every state.
Just like marriage is a fundamental building block of our society, marriage equality is a core part of our mission to advance equality and opportunity for LGBT Americans and all Americans.
The progress our country has made on this issue is inspiring, and the pace with which it has happened is breathtaking. Nearly three quarters of Americans now live in states with marriage equality. But that progress didn’t happen on its own.
From Stonewall to City Hall to the courthouse to the ballot box, the courage of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender advocates has changed minds and changed laws. Each incremental victory is a promise to the next generation that yes, it does get better. That promise is ours to keep.
When you’re headed in the right direction, as we are, you don’t turn back or throw up your hands and say, “good enough.”
You keep charging forward. No future generation of LGBT Americans should live in a country that doesn’t embrace their full and equal rights.
We should stand with loving couples in all states, and commit to building an America where every lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender person can live, work, learn, raise a family, and marry free from discrimination or prejudice. We should refuse to settle for anything less.
Hillary Clinton is a Democratic Presidential hopeful and former Secretary of State.
This letter was originally published on HillaryClinton.com.
