Many have heard little to nothing about the Respect for Marriage Act until it had been passed, even though it is fairly important to LGBTQ+ news. If not being covered, why should you know what the Respect for Marriage Act is? What is its importance?

With the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade last June, other landmark cases have been called into question, many affecting the LGBTQ+ community – like Obergefell v. Hodges, The United States v. Windsor, and Lawrence v. Texas. 

What is the Respect for Marriage Act? The Respect for Marriage Act is a federal law that repeals Bill Clinton’s Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA, 1996), stating that same-sex and interracial marriages must be recognized federally. The passing of the Respect for Marriage Act is monumental for the future of same-sex marriages. 

Unfortunately, the passing of this law wouldn’t completely protect same-sex marriages in the instance that 2015’s Obergefell v. Hodges were to be overturned, but would enforce all states to recognize these marriages when they’re performed in states that it would be legal in. Same-sex couples everywhere breathe a sigh of relief, knowing that we’re getting somewhere.

Many have stated that this law isn’t doing enough for LGBTQ+ rights, which is arguably true. We still have a long way to go. But this law is proof that, at the very least, we’re taking steps in the right direction.