
<p>One of the threads that unraveled in the wake of the Supreme Court decision to strike down Roe v. Wade was a fear among married gays – and supporters of gay marriage – that the High Court could overturn the Obergefell v. Hodges decision that gave gay marriages constitutional legitimacy.</p>



<p>The fear was heightened when Justice Clarence Thomas offered up an unsolicited comment that the grounds for removing federal constitutional protection from abortions could be applied to other matters – specifically gay marriage.</p>



<p>Gay marriage would not be outlawed, just as abortion was not outlawed. ; Rather the matter would be left to the citizens of the several states. ; Under the current situation, gay marriage is a constitutional right.</p>



<p>Thomas&#8217;s casual remark was made even though the majority opinion on Roe v Wade specifically stated that it was narrowly drawn and would not apply to the issue of gay marriage. ; That was less than comforting to the gay community.</p>



<p>As a prophylactic against any future Supreme Court decision that would lift the federal protection for gay marriage – leaving it to the states to decide – a bipartisan measure passed by the Senate in a 61 to 36 vote &#8212; declaring that any gay marriage performed in a state where such unions are legal must be accepted as legal in all states. ; ;</p>



<p>The measure was sent on to the House where it is expected to be approved and subsequently signed into law by President Biden.</p>



<p>This should lay to rest any anxieties among proponents of gay marriage – even though the threat was unrealistic despite Thomas’ unhelpful academic comments. ; He needlessly increased the anxiety and gave Democrats another fearmongering cudgel to use against Republicans in the 2022 Midterm elections.</p>



<p>Gay marriage is widely accepted in America today – and gay relationships are largely normalized within the secular American culture. ; As well among many religious organizations, leaders, and supplicants. ; There is no chance that the right of gay folks to get married will be reversed – even without a new law. Hopefully, the law will put the matter to rest.</p>



<p>The speed with which the American culture changed on gay marriage and gay rights is remarkable. ; It was just 20 years ago when a constitutional amendment was being floated to declare that marriage is ONLY between a man and a woman.</p>



<p>Incidentally, the new legislation protecting gay marriage also covers interracial marriages that were once banned as late as the 1960s. ; Like gay marriages, interracial unions – meaning whites and blacks or Asians, and even blacks and Asians – was not under any serious threat, but if the new law makes folks feel better, no harm done.</p>



<p>So, there ‘tis.</p>

Senate vote on gay marriage should ease fears
