Five years ago, almost to the day, another Supreme Court ruled in favor of marriage equality. I remember waiting and hoping, afraid to be optimistic. When the decision came down, I was sitting along in my house and I screamed and cheered and cried. It had been my passion for many years. I so wanted my older son to be able to marry his long-time partner as easily as my younger son had married his wife.
I remember the white house lit up in the colors of the rainbow flag and how amazing it was to see. I remember the celebrations and we had a lot to celebrate. I didn’t think I would see it in my lifetime.
Yesterday, I was at my computer but not looking at news or Facebook or anything. I got a text from my younger son that said, “Would not have expected Gorsuch to write the opinion.” My response, “What? I haven’t heard.” I wasn’t waiting or expecting the decision that gave equality in employment to LGBTQ people.
The difference between then and now – I wasn’t waiting this year. I didn’t even remember it was happening. Why so different than 5 years ago? I didn’t have the same hope I had for the marriage equality decision. The makeup of the Supreme Court had changed dramatically. Justice Kennedy, the swing vote and the deciding vote for marriage equality had retired and was replaced with a very conservative judge. I just didn’t want to know that the court decided against my son and the LGBTQ community. I wasn’t sure I could handle it with everything else going on.
So I blocked it out of my mind. I didn’t even remember. When I read the news, I cried. I couldn’t believe the court decided 6-3 in favor of anything that was LGBTQ rights. I’m so glad I was wrong.
That decision has restored some of my hope. I’m so grateful for that decision. I’m so glad I was wrong. And I pray this is the beginning of all rights being restored to everyone who is LGBTQ+.
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