The rule federally protects interracial and same-sex marriage, a triumph in the fight for equality
The American president, Joe Biden, signed a law passed by Congress last night that federally shields interracial and same-sex marriage, a triumph in the fight for equality that would have been unimaginable just a few years ago.
The ratification occurred in a ceremony on the south lawn of the Casa Blanca in a festive atmosphere and with 3.000 attendees. At the beginning of the event, the singer Sam Smith interpreted «"Stay With Me"While Cyndi Lauper thrilled the public with «True Colors«, anthem of the gay community.
Biden He intervened at the end of the act and, while the public took photos with their mobile phones, he signed the law with a smile. “Deciding who to marry is one of the most personal decisions a person can make.”, affirmed the president, who argued that the marriage should be reduced to only two questions: ”Who do you love?" Y "Will you be faithful to the person you love?". "This law recognizes that everyone should have the right to answer those questions for themselves, without government interference."He declared Biden.
Biden shields equal marriages
The legislation, which automatically went into effect with his signature, will serve to protect same-sex and interracial marriages in the event the Supreme Court, with a conservative majority, revoke the judicial rulings that protect those rights. The text has had the support not only of Democratic congressmen, but also of 12 Senators and 39 Republican Representatives.
Specifically, the law prohibits any state from challenging the legality of a marriage, regardless of the sex or race of the parties, if the marriage is legal in the state in which it occurred. Also, revokes the Defense of Marriage law approved in 1996 under the Government of Bill Clinton (1993-2001) and which established that marriage could only occur between a man and a woman, blocking the recognition of homosexual unions.
Advocacy for marriage equality gained momentum after in June the Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade judgment, which for nearly half a century protected access to abortion.
A change in public opinion
The ceremony was attended by the Democratic leaders of the Congress, Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi, who recognized the work that the US activists have done to change public opinion around marriage equality and get it protected by law.
public opinion of USA has changed dramatically in recent years: in 1996, when the law establishing that marriage was the union between a man and a woman was signed, only the 27% of Americans supported gay marriageWhile in 2022 support was 71% According Gallup.
