Activists are concerned about the potential reversal of rights, especially regarding same-sex marriage, following the Supreme Court’s overturning of the Roe v. Wade decision. In California, Colorado, and Hawaii, ballot measures will allow residents to vote on removing language prohibiting same-sex marriage from their state constitutions. These measures aim to safeguard marriage rights should the Obergefell v. Hodges ruling be challenged. The Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision has raised fears of other precedents being revisited, including Obergefell.
Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito have expressed doubts about Obergefell, warning of the consequences for religious beliefs. With a conservative-leaning Supreme Court, activists see the need for proactive measures to protect same-sex marriage rights, as the Obergefell decision is considered unpredictable. Additionally, without the federal legislation, Respect for Marriage Act, there are concerns that marriage rights could be at risk if the balance of power in Congress shifts.
The campaign director of Freedom to Marry Colorado emphasizes the importance of proactive measures to ensure marriage equality protection at the state level, particularly for LGBTQ couples who have faced obstacles in the past. The focus is on preventing a potential rollback of rights that could leave individuals vulnerable to discrimination. Overall, activists are advocating for measures to safeguard marriage equality in the face of potential legal challenges.
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