June 26 is a day steeped in the history of the LGBT community, a day that irrevocably ties our progress with the Supreme Court of the United States. On June 26, 2003, the Supreme Court struck down all remaining anti-sodomy laws in the country in Lawrence v. Texas. On June 26, 2013, the Supreme Court reinstated same-sex marriage in California in Hollingsworth v. Perry and struck down the discriminatory Article 3 of the so-called Defense of Marriage Act in United States v. Windsor. And on June 26, 2015, the Supreme Court established once and for all that same-sex couples have the constitutional right to marry in every corner of America in Obergefell v. Hodges. It is a historic day of celebration for millions of LGBT people, and President Barack Obama has announced his intention to make it a federal holiday: National Equality Day.
Speaking with Marc Marcon on his comedic podcast, WTF With Marc Marcon, President Obama explained why he felt the day should become a holiday:
"These folks are heroes and deserve to be recognized for their courage and sacrifice. I can’t think of anything more deserving of a national holiday than the fight for equality. Our nation was founded on a bedrock principle that we are all created equal."
He then went on to promise to work to see its creation:
"I will be urging congress to honor the LGBT community with a federal holiday, until then I will issue by executive order declaring June 26th, 2016 National Equality Day."
In honor of the landmark Supreme Court decision last month, he even had the White House lit up in the colors of the rainbow. While some felt the move "controversial," Obama defended the move to Marcon, saying:
"The White House was lit to demonstrate our unwavering commitment to progress and equality, here in America and around the world."
"The pride colors were lit to reflect the diversity of the LGBT community, and to celebrate a new chapter in the history of American civil rights."
What a lame name. National Equality Day sounds like something fake calendars have next to National Hug a Tree Day and National Cheesecake Day. But it's the thought, so, yas.
Edit: That complaining was kind of fake, but on a more real level I figured out what bothered me. What I've been seeing from a lot of "allies", the idea that the fight for LGBT rights is over and it's just a time to celebrate and feel accomplished when it's far from that and this adds to the false sense of that. But also, the vagueness of National Equality Day, we have a Women's Equality Day and this feels like it dwarfs that day, while also being incredibly unspecific.
Starting to rlyyyyy appreciate him Luvin this "**** politics, gonna say/do what's right regardless" attitude. Sucks that it took so long but I understand.
Luvin this "**** politics, gonna say/do what's right regardless" attitude. Sucks that it took so long but I understand.