How Kyrsten Sinema protected marriage equality – and offered a lesson for us all

The U.S. Supreme Court decision in June overturning Roe v. Wade was an attack on women and birthing people in our nation, and it also created a direct threat to existing and future LGBTQ+ rights.

The Dobbs decision created dangerous precedent to allow the court to strike down key decisions on LGBTQ+ equality in the future, including equal marriage.

In the days and weeks following the SCOTUS decision, millions of families like ours across the country had many sleepless nights anxious about the uncertainty of the future.

Would we lose rights to our own children? Would it once again become difficult to see our loved ones in a hospital or make critical health care decisions? It seemed like cruel and unusual punishment that the clock could be turned back on our rights so easily.

Especially at a time when support for equal marriage was at an all-time high of more than 70%!

Threat from Supreme Court creates uncertainty: We told our wedding guests about gay marriage inequality. We thought it was in the past.

Respect for Marriage Act had bipartisan support

Thankfully, we have a champion in Sen. Kyrsten Sinema.

She paved the way for the bipartisan Respect for Marriage Act (RMA), which passed out of the Senate earlier this month. The act will codify the rights and freedoms afforded by legal marriage that families like ours have come to depend on since Obergefell legalized equal marriage in 2015.

When partisanship once again threatened to block progress, Sen. Sinema brought together LGBTQ+ advocates, religious groups, business groups and local leaders to find areas of compromise that would allow the bill to progress that still honors, protects and respects all marriages and religious institutions.

Progress for LGBTQ rights: Respect for Marriage Act is a triumph for families, freedom – and American activism

Respect for Marriage Act requires the federal government to recognize a marriage between two individuals if the marriage was valid in the state it was performed.

It guarantees that all married couples are granted access to the 1,138 rights and protections afforded by legal marriage, regardless of the couple’s sex, race, ethnicity or national origin. And lastly, the act protects all religious liberty and conscience protections available under the Constitution or federal law.

Opinion alerts: Get columns from your favorite columnists + expert analysis on top issues, delivered straight to your device through the USA TODAY app. Don't have the app? Download it for free from your app store.

The political cooperation on RMA was not only key to getting it passed, but key to ensuring it lasts. Unlike other hyperpartisan bills such as the Affordable Care Act, Respect for Marriage Act will not spur on a resurgence of right-wing opposition and extremism, but rather will stand the test of time as other civil rights bills have.

Respect for Marriage Act passed: Let's use that momentum to get paid parental leave for all families

Finding common ground ensures protections last

We won’t go back to living in the closet or hiding our partners because of fear of retribution or discrimination. Living as our authentic selves with dignity and equal protections under the law in all areas of life is a fundamental part of being human – of being an American.

Parenting transgender, nonbinary kids: 'I just hope that he's always confident': Raising LBGTQ+ kids to be strong, successful

Thanks to Sen. Sinema’s leadership, one day soon we won’t have to. Understanding all that was on the line for millions of families, she moved forward with humility and reason, forging a path forward that secured the votes needed to protect our rights, dignity and freedoms.

'We feel more secure': As Respect for Marriage Act passes, same-sex couples share tentative enthusiasm

This should be a lesson for all those doing business in Washington. To put the needs of the American people before needs of party or politics.

With the signing of this historic legislation, families like ours will once again be able to rest easy knowing that all loving couples – no matter who they are or who they love – have equal dignity and worth in the eyes of the law.

It’s time we all follow Arizona senior senator’s example and put aside differences of personal opinion. We must focus on how we can work with people from every walk of life, and find ways to work together to make our communities and families stronger, more resilient and more free.

Angela Hughey is co-founder & president of ONE Community. Michael Soto is chief advocacy officer of ONE Community. Reach them at angela@onecommunity.com and michael@onecommunity.com.

Co-signers of the column: Mike Fornelli, executive director, Phoenix Pride; Sheila Kloefkorn, CEO, KEO Marketing Inc.; Jessyca Leach, executive director, Southwest Center; Michael Mazzocco, board chair, Greater Phoenix Equality Chamber of Commerce; Nate Rhoton, CEO, one-n-ten; Cesar Chavez, chair, LGBTQ+ caucus, Arizona House of Representatives; Daniel Hernandez, former chair, LGBTQ+ caucus, Arizona House of Representatives; Vera Minot, president, Tucson LGBT Chamber of Commerce; Robert Heidt, president & CEO, Glendale Chamber of Commerce.

You can read diverse opinions from our Board of Contributors and other writers on the Opinion front page, on Twitter @usatodayopinion and in our daily Opinion newsletter. To respond to a column, submit a comment to letters@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How Kyrsten Sinema secured lasting protections for LGBTQ marriage