Shreveport LGBTQ+ activist reacts to historic marriage bill passage

The Respect for Marriage Act has passed in the Senate with a 61-36 vote in favor of overturning the previous Defense of Marriage Act and will require the federal and state governments to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states.

The House passed the historic legislation Thursday that will federally protect same-sex and interracial marriage rights. The bill moves to President Joe Biden who is expected to sign it into law.

This isn't just a win for those in the LGTBQ+ community, the new law would also be codifying protections for interracial and inter-faith marriages.

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According to the bill, Congress finds the following:

(1) No union is more profound than marriage, for it embodies the highest ideals of love, fidelity, devotion, sacrifice, and family.

(2) Diverse beliefs about the role of gender in marriage are held by reasonable and sincere people based on decent and honorable religious or philosophical premises. Therefore, Congress affirms that such people and their diverse beliefs are due proper respect.

(3) Millions of people, including interracial and same-sex couples, have entered into marriages and have enjoyed the rights and privileges associated with marriage. Couples joining in marriage deserve to have the dignity, stability, and ongoing protection that marriage affords to families and children.

"So many in the LGBTQ+ community despaired and feared for their own rights after seeing what became of the Roe v. Wade decision this past year. We are proud to see our leaders from both parties overwhelmingly vote to codify marriage for LGBTQ+ couple," said People Acting for Change and Equality (PACE) Vice President Katie Bickham prior the bill passing the house on Thursday. "Our government has heard us: we are here to stay, and we are not going backwards. As soon as this passes the House, which we expect it will, and is signed into law by President Biden, everyone in the queer community will be able to sleep a little easier knowing that their marriages, families and lineages will be firmly protected by law."

Meredith G. White is the arts and culture reporter for the Shreveport Times. You can find her on Facebook as Meredith G. White, on Instagram and Twitter as @meredithgwhite, and email her at mgwhite@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Shreveport LGBTQ+ activist reacts to historic marriage bill passage