Obergefell: 'I owe it to John'
by Sara Ritsch
Staff Writer
James Obergefell spoke Thursday at the LGBT caucus meeting before the last night of the 2016 Democratic National Convention.
Obergefell spoke to the caucus about his role in the 2015 Supreme Court ruling to allow same sex marriage across the United States and his ongoing drive for social justice.
He went on to tell the story of how his case climbed its way up to the Supreme Court, making history.
It all started in 1992, when Obergefell met his future husband John Arthur in Ohio.
“I met and fell in love with John. I was committed, but I never expected to be able to marry and carry any legal weight.”
After 21 years of partnership, Arthur and Obergefell moved to Maryland to legally get married. Though the marriage should have been a time of celebration and sweet memories, Arthur’s health overshadowed the union.
“John and I got married, and it was more important, pointed and bittersweet because he was nearing death.”
Arthur had recently been diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's Disease, also known as ALS. Shortly after Arthur and Obergefell’s marriage, the newlyweds moved back to their home state of Ohio.
Arthur died only a few months after their wedding day, leaving Obergefell in the midst of grief and a legal mess. Arthur and Obergefell’s same-sex marriage in Maryland was not recognized in Ohio.
Obergefell would not be seen as a widower by Ohio and could not receive any legal benefits from the state.
That was when Obergefell first felt obligated to fight for equality and justice.
“It was a fight for us, our marriage, and what was right and just.”
Obergefell’s case was lost to the state of Ohio. He knew his fight could not end there, and took the case all the way up to the Supreme Court.
Obergefell’s boldness to act proved triumphant.
“The Supreme Court agreed with us, bringing marriage equality to all,” he said. “Hearing Justice Kennedy read that decision was the first time in my life as a gay man that I truly felt like an equal American. And I’m not going to let Donald trump and the GOP take that away.”
Obergefell then related his continued fight for gay rights to his devotion to Arthur. “Those promises didn’t die when John died,” he said. “I will fight for full LGBTQ equality until the day I die because I owe it to John.”
He went on to speak about the drastic changes that might come if Donald Trump were to win in November.
“I am scared of a Donald Trump presidency. He will nominate justices to the Supreme Court that are opposed to everything we fight for and believe in. Opposed to everything Hillary Clinton believes in and will fight for. Women, people of color, immigrants, non-Christians, and so much more.”
Obergefell told the caucus, “Everyone deserves to be part of ‘we the people’. And yes, black lives matter.”
“To my trans siblings, you have my apologies. I’m ashamed it took a massacre in Orlando for me to fear and appreciate something of the fear you must endure every day of your lives,” he said. “You are much stronger than I. I am proud to be your ally within and outside of the LGBTQ community.”
Obergefell ended his time at the caucus by telling his listeners, “I am proud to say love trumps hate.”
Obergefell’s case was victorious 5-4 in the Supreme Court on June 26, 2015, ruling that the Constitution supports recognition of same-sex marriage for the entire nation. Marriage between couples in the LGBT community have risen 13% since last June, with 123,000 marriages since the Supreme Court ruling.
Sophia Babb contributed to this report.
Copyright The Gayly 2016 - 7/28/16 CDT