• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • About Towleroad
  • Towleroad on Social Media
  • Privacy Policy

Towleroad Gay News

Gay Blog Towleroad: More than gay news | gay men

  • Travel
  • Sports
  • Law/Justice
  • Celebrities
  • Republicans
  • Madonna
  • Books
  • Men
  • Trans Rights
  • Royals
  • Monkeypox
  • Sophia Bush’s girlfriend ‘proud’ the actress has opened up about coming out as queer
  • Mel B declares she’ll ‘always be open’ when it comes to her sexuality!
  • Megan Thee Stallion being sued for ‘forcing cameraman watch her having lesbian sex!’

WATCH: Top LGBT Legal Experts Break Down SCOTUS Gay Marriage Ruling, Look Ahead

John Wright July 4, 2015

Screen Shot 2015-07-04 at 10.18.40 AM

Three leading experts broke down the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Obergefell v. Hodges this week on Free Speech TV's “Gay USA.”

Co-hosts Andy Humm and Ann Northrop were joined by Freedom To Marry's Evan Wolfson, James Esseks of the ACLU's LGBT & AIDS Project, and constitutional and civil rights attorney Joan Gibbs.

The intro features footage from outside the Supreme Court after the ruling, as well as photos of landmarks across the country that were lit up in rainbow colors in response. The 58-minute segment concludes with footage (shot by yours truly) from the wedding of Jack Evans and George Harris, a gay couple of 54 years who were the first to marry in Dallas.

In addition to their initial reactions to the ruling, Wolfson, Esseks and Gibbs discussed what it could mean for LGBT equality going forward.

“I went back to my office because I figured I needed to read the decision to be able to answer questions and so on,” Wolfson said. “Those who know me may be surprised, but I found myself crying. I was scrolling through the decision and each paragraph would trigger a memory of a conversation or a battle or the pioneers in the movement whom I've been talking to a lot in the last several months. …  And It was just so profoundly moving. I realized afterwards it was partly moving and partly relief.”

Esker said he was in the courtroom when Justice Anthony Kennedy read the decision.

“There was absolute collective relief, and lots of tears,” Esseks said. “I was crying, and the guy sitting next to me was balling. It was the culmination of decades of work.”

They also discussed how significant they believe the ruling is, from a legal standpoint, in the context of LGBT civil rights, and particularly nondiscrimination laws.

“This is heightened scrutiny, this is equal protection, it's the command of the Constitution, and we need to go out and use it that way,” Wolfson said.

They touched on backlash over the ruling, such as the push for “religious liberty” carveouts for government officials and in public accommodations. Finally, they talked about the need for an LGBT-inclusive federal civil rights law.

“This is a high point if not the high point of our lives, and it's important that we not let it stop here,” Wolfson said.

Watch it below.

video
play-rounded-fill
Link

Topics: Health, Supreme Court, towleroad More Posts About: AIDS, Andy Humm, Ann Northrop, Evan Wolfson, gay marriage, James Esseks, Jim Obergefell, video

Related Posts
  • Studio 54 owner Mark Fleischman dies by assisted suicide at Dignitas, says his business partner
  • Govt’s Halting Response In Ramping Monkeypox Tests, Vaccines May Have Missed Chance to Contain Outbreak Over Last 30 Days.
  • MPX is MonkeyPox is Everywhere; CDC Undercounts Cases; ‘Lesions, Headaches, Debilitating Pain… You Don’t Want This ‘; ROUNDUP
  • Mel B declares she’ll ‘always be open’ when it comes to her sexuality!

    Mel B declares she’ll ‘always be open’ when it comes to her sexuality!

    Published by BANG Showbiz English Mel B will “always be open” when it comes to her sexuality. The Spice Girls singer, 48, who reunited with her bandmates including the group's ex-singer Victoria Beckham for the fashion …Read More »
  • Megan Thee Stallion being sued for ‘forcing cameraman watch her having lesbian sex!’

    Megan Thee Stallion being sued for ‘forcing cameraman watch her having lesbian sex!’

    Published by BANG Showbiz English Megan Thee Stallion is being sued for allegedly creating a hostile work environment and forcing her cameraman to watch her having lesbian sex. The 29-year-old ‘Savage' rapper faces the salacious claims …Read More »
  • Mean Girls star Jonathan Bennett recalls the moment his life ‘changed forever’

    Mean Girls star Jonathan Bennett recalls the moment his life ‘changed forever’

    Published by BANG Showbiz English Jonathan Bennett's life was “changed forever” by his role in ‘Mean Girls'. The 42-year-old actor starred as heartthrob Aaron Samuels in the 2004 cult classic – which followed Lindsay Lohan, Rachel …Read More »
  • Sir Elton John sent Lance Bass gift basket to celebrate coming out

    Sir Elton John sent Lance Bass gift basket to celebrate coming out

    Published by BANG Showbiz English Sir Elton John sent Lance Bass a gift basket after he came out as gay. The 44-year-old NSYNC star revealed the legendary singer showed his support when Lance decided to reveal …Read More »
Previous Post: « Mat Staver: Marriage Equality Will Force Children To Experiment With Gay Sex – LISTEN
Next Post: Katherine Heigl and Alexis Bledel are Getting Hitched in ‘Jenny’s Wedding’: VIDEO »

Primary Sidebar

Most Recent

  • Sophia Bush’s girlfriend ‘proud’ the actress has opened up about coming out as queer

    Sophia Bush’s girlfriend ‘proud’ the actress has opened up about coming out as queer

  • Mel B declares she’ll ‘always be open’ when it comes to her sexuality!

    Mel B declares she’ll ‘always be open’ when it comes to her sexuality!

  • Megan Thee Stallion being sued for ‘forcing cameraman watch her having lesbian sex!’

    Megan Thee Stallion being sued for ‘forcing cameraman watch her having lesbian sex!’

  • Mean Girls star Jonathan Bennett recalls the moment his life ‘changed forever’

    Mean Girls star Jonathan Bennett recalls the moment his life ‘changed forever’

  • Sir Elton John sent Lance Bass gift basket to celebrate coming out

    Sir Elton John sent Lance Bass gift basket to celebrate coming out

  • Relationship status influences heterosexual women’s sexual prejudice towards lesbians

    Relationship status influences heterosexual women’s sexual prejudice towards lesbians

  • JoJo Siwa had a challenge transitioning to new grown-up image

    JoJo Siwa had a challenge transitioning to new grown-up image

  • Liz Hurley defends lesbian sex scene in new movie that was directed by her son

    Liz Hurley defends lesbian sex scene in new movie that was directed by her son

Partner Links

  • Rebel Wilson talks about doing stunts (and bloodied nose) during filming of new movie ‘Bride Hard’
    Rebel Wilson sat down with TODAY’s Jenna Bush Hager and guest […]
  • The Incite House
    read more
  • Transgender star Jinkx Monsoon announces that she’s taking the lead role in Broadway’s ‘Oh Mary!’
    Actress, singer and comedian Jinkx Monsoon, who has taken the Broadway […]
  • “Food Network star Anne Burrell passed away at the age of 55” links
    Food Network star Anne Burrell has passed away suddenly at the […]
  • Wednesday Round-Up: “Noah’s Arc” movie; Billy Porter; Dustin Lance Black; Morgan Spector; Sarah McBride & more!
    ‘Noah’s Arc’ cast and creator reunite to celebrate historic series before […]

Most Commented

Social

Twitter @tlrd | Facebook | Instagram @tlrd

About

  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • About Towleroad
  • Towleroad on Social Media
  • Privacy Policy
[towleroadmr] [towleroadtn]

Footer

Ptown Hacks 2018

Read

  • Travel
  • Film
  • Law – LGBT Rights
  • Columns
  • Specials

About

  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • About Towleroad
  • Towleroad on Social Media
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2025 · Log in

×
×