On the decade mark of Obergefell v. Hodges, Michigan's Attorney General Dana Nessel reflects on the milestone that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide, and its reverberations are felt beyond the personal triumphs, touching countless lives across Michigan and the country. Nessel, who played a pivotal role as the lead attorney for the plaintiffs in the case that led up to the historic Supreme Court decision, emphasized the societal shift the ruling embodied, invoking the words Justice Kennedy penned in the opinion which resonate profoundly with the essence of marital union's significance.
While celebrating the joy and legal recognition the ruling brought to same-sex couples—allowing them to marry, adopt, and build families with protections that were previously elusive—Nessel also issued a strong caveat, recognizing that rights achieved are not rights guaranteed, with powers still trying to reverse these gains ten years ago today when it became law, according to a statement released by the Attorney General's Office.
Amid celebrations, Nessel's message is one of vigilance and combativeness; defending the progress is as paramount now as it was a decade ago when same-sex marriage became a right under law. This anniversary is a reminder not just of a legal victory, but also of the ongoing battle to maintain the dignity and rights bestowed upon LGBTQ families by the Constitution—a document once read in a new light to grant rights once denied, Nessel noted in her statement.
Nessel, prior to her election as Attorney General, served as a cornerstone in the journey toward marriage equality—arguing for the plaintiffs in DeBoer v. Snyder, a stepping stone to Obergefell. Her steadfast commitment remains evident in her continued defense of what was won, despite ongoing challenges from opponents of the equality established on that historic day, as noted in a statement from the Michigan Attorney General’s Office.
In tandem with the anniversary, Nessel and Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes released a two-part podcast series titled "Pantsuits and Lawsuits," exploring the enduring legacy and the persistent struggle for marriage equality.
