Today marks ten years since the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, which legalised same-sex marriage across all 50 states. The June 26, 2015 ruling was a transformative moment in the long-standing struggle for LGBTQ+ equality—a milestone now being commemorated by advocates, lawmakers and community organisations across the nation.
Dubbed by some as “Equality Day,” the anniversary has sparked celebrations on social media, where politicians, rights groups, and supporters are honouring a decade of legal recognition for same-sex couples.
In a statement, the Democratic Legislative Committee paid tribute to the state-level efforts that led to the national decision, while also highlighting the continued fight to safeguard civil rights amid an onslaught of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation pushed by Republican state lawmakers.
Evan Wolfson, founder of Freedom to Marry, celebrated the anniversary on X (formerly Twitter), writing, “10 years ago today, we won the freedom to marry nationwide, a triumph of love and activism to make a more perfect union.” He also linked to The Freedom to Marry, a 2016 documentary chronicling the campaign’s journey.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which represented lead plaintiff Jim Obergefell, posted a clip of Obergefell emotionally recalling the moment the ruling was delivered by Justice Anthony Kennedy: “I burst into tears,” he said. “I could hear people around the courtroom sobbing.”
GLAAD marked the day on Instagram, noting that nearly 500,000 same-sex couples have married since the ruling. “Support for this simple yet profound right has grown year after year,” the post read. GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis added, “The Obergefell decision helped protect families and strengthen communities… Our identities and rights to safety and healthcare should not be up for debate either.”
The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) encouraged couples to share wedding photos using a custom celebratory filter, while the Capital Stonewall Democrats declared, “We celebrate a decade of marriage equality — and the power of Obergefell v. Hodges to affirm that love is love.”
The Congressional Equality Caucus used the occasion to reflect on other key rulings like Lawrence v. Texas and United States v. Windsor, reminding followers that “Even a decade later, we’re still fighting for our community’s full equality under the law—especially for our transgender siblings.”
Democratic leaders nationwide weighed in. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) reaffirmed the importance of continuing the fight against “unending attacks from MAGA extremists.” Representative LaMonica McIver (D-NJ) reflected on the decision as a vital step forward: “Love wins, but the work continues.” Out Congressman Mark Pocan (D-WI) voiced pride in continuing the push for equality.
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) highlighted the 2022 passage of the Respect for Marriage Act, and Colorado Governor Jared Polis (D) noted his role in repealing his state’s outdated same-sex marriage ban earlier this year.
The Obama Foundation also paid tribute, sharing a video featuring former President Barack Obama and Jim Obergefell discussing the historic ruling. “It was a huge moment,” Obama said. “I knew the decision would have an enormous impact on the lives of so many Americans who just wanted their love to be recognised the same as anyone else’s.”
While celebrations continue, advocates have also issued warnings about the fragility of these hard-won rights. Some highlighted a map by Axios showing 32 states where bans on same-sex marriage would resurface if Obergefell were overturned—a stark reminder of the ongoing stakes.
