By Crystal Niebla, Contributing Reporter
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer leaders and allies joined nationwide celebrations following the Supreme Court’s historic ruling making marriage for same-sex couples the law of the land this past June.
More than 200 members of the LGBTQ community and its allies gathered at a rally outside Long Beach City Hall to hear community leaders speak about the court’s decision. Earlier that day, Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia, who is openly gay, raised a rainbow flag over the Civic Plaza as a symbolic gesture of victory for equality.
Garcia, who has been with his partner for seven years, said that the same-sex marriage ruling was “uniquely important [and] American.”
“We know now that we are equal as anyone else, and our opportunities as a hopefully future-married couple, will be accepted no matter where we go, and that’s really special for all of us,” he said.
At the rally, Long Beach Law founder Audrey “Stephanie” Loftin, with her wife, Rebecca Birmingham, explained the legalities of the Supreme Court ruling. Same-sex marriage fell under the liberties and protections granted by the 14th Amendment, Loftin said. However, she said the ruling “did not describe what marriage is.”
Following the court’s 5-4 decision, President Barack Obama made a statement on the progress in equality the U.S. has made.
“Progress on this journey often comes in small increments,” Obama stated. “Sometimes two steps forward, one step back, compelled by the persistent effort of dedicated citizens. And then sometimes there are days like this, when that slow, steady effort is rewarded with justice that arrives like a thunderbolt.”
Although marriage for same-sex couples is now legal nationwide, many of the civic leaders said that there are still issues that the LGBTQ community must tackle, such as workforce discrimination and high rates of homelessness. According to the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, between 20 to 40 percent of the nation’s homeless population consists of LGBTQ youths.
Shortly after the Supreme Court decision, #NotTooProudToFight trended on Twitter—a hashtag that urged that the discrimination toward the LGBTQ community is heavier for people of color because they experience intersectional forms of prejudice.
“I think it’s about building a momentum that reminds us of how interrelated these [issues] are,” said supporter Katie Cox, who identifies as queer. Cox held a sign at the rally that read: “Too Proud Not to Keep Fighting: Love, Justice & Freedom from Violence FOR ALL”
“One of the reasons that I think gay marriage has had so much popularity… is that it doesn’t fundamentally challenge [issues] like systemic racism in this country,” Cox said. “I think that a lot of my friends of color who are LGBT feel alienated because they don’t include an intersectional perspective…”
Thadeo Kimble, 34, of Long Beach, who identifies as a transgender man and volunteers at the Long Beach LGBTQ Center, said he felt the ruling made the LGBTQ community voice stronger, but other forms of stigma persist.
“When we have moments like this, yes, we have to celebrate, but there’s still much more to fight for. Everything’s under an umbrella,” Kimble said. “It’s going to take time and every voice will be heard.”