On June 26, 2015, the Supreme Court of the United States declared a nationwide shift in legal equality for a minority previously unaccounted for. The same-sex marriage decision would alter the lives of many directly. Under the new legal circumstances, couples could now have the moment of marriage not dependent on being in a heterosexual relationship, but rather homosexual. The legal steps for equality to those apart of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transexual, and Questioning (LGBTQ) community were now in place. Now, the only obstacle in the way was the social acceptance across of all society. The law could change, yet individuals’ minds may not. Almost a year from the first swift action to equality, homosexual individuals are still searching …show more content…
In the United States Supreme Court’s rulings, they ruled in 5-4 favor that “the Fourteenth Amendment requires a state to license a marriage between two people of the same sex and to recognize a marriage between two people of the same sex when their marriage was lawfully licensed and performed out-of-state” (“Obergefell v. Hodges.”). The ruling established a precedent for all legal situations involving same-sex marriage further on, as well as put a legal binding law on the national level. Same-sex marriages now became legal across the entire country. Before the Supreme Court ruling was established, states began to pass laws legalizing the union of same-sex individuals in marriage. Preceding June 26, 2015, “37 states and the District of Columbia”, not including six other states with cases in review, had laws supporting same-sex marriages (CNN Library). The legal likelihood that The United States Supreme Court would rule in favor of same-sex marriage increased greatly with every state that joined. After the ruling, surprisingly, some states across the United States began to bring bills forth in order to nullify rights granted to homosexual individuals. In addition, other bills were brought to the poll …show more content…
Major cities all across the nation are hosting Pride nights for the LGBTQ community, during the month of June, in order to “foster an understanding of and equality for the LGBT community in the general population by raising awareness through educational programs and events” (“Pride St. Louis, Inc. Mission Statement”). Pride nights consist of parades, rallies, and many festivities in order to bring the LGBTQ community together. In addition to gatherings and events, a large amount of the community connects over social media in the effort to achieve equal social status in today’s society. With groups such as the Human Rights Campaign, those involved “[work] to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Americans” through a large social network (“About Us…”). These groups help connect not just those inside the battle for social acceptance, but also those looking on in society that hope to make a difference in their community. The growing support is a step in the right direction for the greater equal social status of all, but the continued struggle for acceptance is still raging