HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. — Students, professors and advocates gathered at Northern Kentucky University to reflect on the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges, which legalized same-sex marriage nearly a decade ago.
Jim Obergefell, the Cincinnati plaintiff in the historic case, was a guest speaker for the event. Obergefell said he’s shocked at how his case brought people together.
“This case...to earn or to have a right to marry, affirmed, was such a beautiful day,” Obergefell said. “It gave hope to millions of people, made millions of people feel more part of we the people.”
Professor Regina Hillman from Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law was also a speaker. She explored the historical impact of the 2015 ruling and the LGBTQ+ rights movement leading up to the moment.
“When I talk today about this lavender scare period, it was such a devastating time for thousands and thousands of people,” Hillman said. “But I see over and over again the resilience of the community and fighting back and gaining rights.”
Other speakers include Richard Hodges, the defendant in the case, and Obergefell’s attorney, Al Gerhardstein. The panel spoke about several topics, including the state of the country and rights still being fought for.
“While I say that gay marriage may be secure, trans rights are certainly not secure,” Gerhardstein said. “I would ask ordinary people to look at their trans neighbors, their trans family members, and do everything they can to protect them. With local legislation.”
Obergefell said there is still much more work to be done.
“We have got to work together to ensure that every marginalized community can enjoy those rights that we’re supposed to enjoy, as we’re people in this country,” he said.
There were four panel sessions throughout the day, inviting the community to participate in the discussion.
