Marriage Equality Has Arrived, Full Equality Yet to Come
On November 7, 2004, Fran and Kim Watson shared their vows for the first time in Houston, Texas.
“We knew the State of Texas did not acknowledge our marriage, but we wanted to make a public declaration of our love in front of those we loved and trusted.” This was the reality for couples all over the state of Texas and across the nation. Many state legislatures had imposed strict bans against same-sex marriage, forcing devoted couples to get married in other states.
In 2014, ten years after they made a commitment to each other, the Watsons decided to get legally married in their “second favorite city, New York.” Still, their marriage wasn’t supported in their home state.
When Fran heard the news of the Supreme Court decision she was sitting at home, catching up on some work. “It took a moment to really sink in.” She logged onto Facebook to post an excited status, and immediately texted her wife, Kim, who was in a meeting at work.
When Kim received the text, she thought, “Oh my God, this changes everything.” It must have shown on her face, because a colleague asked if everything was alright. Kim deliberated about saying anything, because she didn’t want any backlash at work. Same sex marriage can no longer be denied, but nondiscrimination policies such as Houston’s Equal Rights Ordinance are still under attack.
“The Supreme Court ruled on gay marriage today, and my marriage is now legal,” Kim told her colleague. It turned out that her colleague has been with his partner for 15 years, so they spent the next five minutes celebrating before getting back to work.
Today, all people are granted the right to marry the one they love, regardless of their sexual orientation. This change in the law will hopefully mean that future generations of same-sex couples will never have to experience the pain and stigma that those before them had to endure.
However, while it is important for many couples to have their relationships acknowledged by the government, it means little if they can be fired from their job because their boss disagrees with their marriage.
This sentiment has been shared by countless LGBT advocacy organizations and activists: celebrate today, but don’t forget that marriage is not the end all be all for LGBT equality.
“The Supreme Court decision is an epic win for freedom and family in the Lone Star State,” said Christina Gorczynski, campaign director for Texas Wins, a nonprofit dedicated to LGBT equality. “It’s not only wrong but bad for the state’s brand that gay and transgender Texans can still be fired, evicted or kicked out of a restaurant simply for being who they are.”
In 33 states, one can be evicted from their home or denied public housing because they are LGBT. Gay conversion therapy, which has been denounced by every major mental health professional group, has only been banned in 3 states. Texas has even attempted to make it a crime for transgender Texans to use public restrooms that match their gender identity.
For Fran and Kim Watson there are crucial changes that must be made in our society and to the law to truly reflect that equality has been achieved.
“Until we can get the unemployment rate down for our trans brothers and sisters, especially trans people of color, then equality is not achieved. Until there are nondiscrimination laws in place all over the country, and LGBT homelessness is no longer an issue, our work is not done. Until HIV in our community has a sharp decline, our work is not done. There is much to still be achieved, so let us not grow weary, but keep those sleeves rolled up.”