On June 26, 2015 Marriage Equality became the law of the land.

 

Happy Pride Month!

On June 26, 2015 Marriage Equality became the law of the land.
With hundreds of others I celebrated on the Supreme Court steps because the U.S. Supreme Court issued a landmark decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, making marriage equality legal, granting due process and equal protection to hundreds of thousands of same-sex couples.

Later that glorious day, I chatted with President Obama’s official photographer Pete Souza in front of the White House which was lit up in rainbow colors in celebration of the LGBTQ community. While we watched, the Presidential Marine Corps unit arrived. Onboard was President Obama returning from his moving speech at the memorial service for the church folks who were gunned down by a young white supremacist in South Carolina. President Obama sang "Amazing Grace" that day. Arrivals and departures…

Gregg Chadwick
Arrivals and Departures (June 26, 2015)

 48”x36” oil on linen

#art #contemporaryart #HappyPride #PrideMonth #MarriageEquality #DC #SupremeCourt #LoveIsLove  #OTD

Minutes ago, @VP delivers remarks outside @TheStonewallNYC pic.twitter.com/1wpq15uzwV

— Christopher Kane (@Chris_Kane_) June 26, 2023

President Biden Hosts a Ceremony on the South Lawn to Sign the Respect for Marriage Act!

What a sweet moment! 🥹@POTUS gave @VP Harris the pen he used to sign the Respect for Marriage Act into law.

📸: Kent Nishimura pic.twitter.com/L5mgzDjYR2

— best of kamala harris (@archivekamala) December 13, 2022

It was great to be at the White House to celebrate the Respect for Marriage Act being signed into law by @POTUS! I’m happy that the hard work and long hours of bipartisan negotiation have finally paid off for the millions of loving same-sex & interracial couples across America. pic.twitter.com/BrnxtnYAxw

— Sen. Tammy Baldwin (@SenatorBaldwin) December 13, 2022

Who woulda thought the gayest party I’ve ever been to was at the White House? Thank you @POTUS for signing the Respect for Marriage Act! #LoveIsLove 🏳️‍🌈 pic.twitter.com/EA1rdoAxXt

— Jeremy Moss (@JeremyAllenMoss) December 13, 2022

A beautiful day to witness and celebrate @POTUS signing the Respect for Marriage Act into law! 🏳️‍🌈

A special shout-out to my friend @SenatorBaldwin and all of the advocates who worked so hard to make this happen. pic.twitter.com/UXxNrUAZNV

— Senator Mazie Hirono (@maziehirono) December 13, 2022

The Respect for Marriage Act is now the law of the land. I was honored to watch as @POTUS honored the fundamental right of Americans to marry the person they love. It means people like my child will have the same rights as everyone else.💖 pic.twitter.com/4HNclCg2DZ

— Secretary Deb Haaland (@SecDebHaaland) December 13, 2022

Joe Biden got ahead of Barack Obama on marriage equality. After signing the Respect for Marriage Act into law, he passed his pen to VP Kamala Harris.

Never say both parties are the same. Only Democrats are committed to protecting LGBTQ people & other vulnerable communities. https://t.co/JFXxZenYfu

— HawaiiDelilah™ (@HawaiiDelilah) December 13, 2022

As attorney general of California, I had the honor of giving the order to allow same-sex marriages to take place across the state in 2013.

Now, we continue our progress with the Respect for Marriage Act becoming law. pic.twitter.com/w6eDBri6e0

— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) December 13, 2022

Could not be happier to have @ageofjavs, @ProudTwinkie, and @Victorshi2020 representing the @VotersTomorrow team at the White House today. #LoveAndEqualityWin pic.twitter.com/8V2DrIdnfF

— Santiago Mayer (@santiagomayer_) December 14, 2022

Love, forever more. 💕 pic.twitter.com/sg8DGGCRlw

— Jill Biden (@FLOTUS) December 14, 2022

Kamala Harris on Love

@kamalaharris at her best. (Which is very, very good.) https://t.co/gP9f5mNrXk

— David Rothkopf (@djrothkopf) October 11, 2019

Love Is Love!

Happy international day against homophobia, transphobia and biphobia!

Happy IDAHOBIT 2017 !

The international day against homophobia, transphobia and biphobia.

#LoveIsLove as people join together to take a stand against prejudice. I remember standing outside the White House on the day that Marriage Equality was declared by the Supreme Court and the beauty of that storied house lit up in the colors of the LGBT flag.  

"Today, I ask Canadians and people around the world to fight hatred, honour love, and defend human rights for everyone.” #IDAHOT #loveislove pic.twitter.com/orJMQR5846

— CanadianPM (@CanadianPM) May 17, 2017

Gregg Chadwick
Arrivals and Departures (Charlotte to D.C. - June 26, 2015)
48"x36" oil on linen 2015-2016 

A Toast to Hannah

Communicating the loss of a loved one is never easy. It is best done in person but words alone can also provide light in a difficult time. With deep sadness I have to send on news about the death of our beloved family member Hannah Johnson. Hannah passed away Sunday night in a traffic accident, and her husband Matt is fighting for his life in a hospital in Madison, Wisconsin. (Update on Hannah's Husband Matt: Matt is coherent, awake, conversant and stood up today!!)

Hannah believed deeply that all are created equal and that we all deserve an equal share of human rights. Hannah worked tirelessly for marriage equality in California and New Jersey. 

Pictured in this New York Times photo from 2009 is my courageous family member Hannah Johnson tearing up as she applauds a New Jersey Senate committee vote on a bill to legalize gay marriage. The struggle continues in New Jersey and in California

photo by Richard Perry / New York Times

Troy Stevenson, the director of Garden State Equality, wrote about Hannah's passing:

"This is a horrible loss for our organization, our movement, and many of us personally. The last time I spoke to Hannah was just over a year ago, on the day we passed marriage equality. She was my first call. I thanked her for all the work she and her team put in and we cried together about finally getting the votes we had fought so hard for. She told me then how much all of you meant to her, and how the work she did in New Jersey was the most important work she had ever done... That is the effect you had on her, she wanted nothing more than to bring equality to each of you, and to all of New Jersey. In the coming days, we will organize a memorial to celebrate Hannah’s life, and we will share those details when we have them. For now, I think it is important that we lean on each other for support. Some of you may not have known Hannah, but your fellow Garden State Equality members did, and trust me, she was one of the most amazing souls I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. Those who didn’t know her would have loved her if you had, and those that did will love her forever...

As for me, I will never forget her; I will fight even harder in her memory, and I know that each of you will do the same. So, remember, when we win the freedom to marry, and we will win very soon, the first toast goes to Hannah."

For me, I am reminded by Hannah's passing to remember that we are called to take care of each other. Life is precious. Enjoy every second. 

And I know, with Hannah in mind, that I will fight for LGBTQ equality and human rights for all until the end of my days.

As an enlightened sage recently said to me, " Don't waste a single fucking moment of your life."

Love,
Gregg 

A celebration of Hannah's life will be held Saturday, May 25, 2013 at the First Unitarian Society of Madison, 900 University Bay Drive, Madison, WI, 53705. 

Hannah's family will be there at 4:00 to welcome friends and family. The service will begin at 5:00. Fellowship and light refreshments will follow the service.

The family is asking that in lieu of flowers, memorials be directed to "Hannah's Fund for Matt" 

at Greenwood's State Bank, 117 No. Main St, Lake Mills, WI, 53551.

PS  Hannah was about to embark on a new journey as a teacher at an amazing school in Baltimore, Maryland.

Please watch the videos below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gGY-rwPefk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQgWNSBKq8k

More at:

http://www.capitalgazette.com/news/schools/annapolis-high-student-teacher-dies-in-wreck-in-boston/article_4d4cf885-914a-50bb-8a98-91a1f1402f8a.html

Hannah Marie Sinsky Johnson LeBlanc, June 28, 1983 - May 20, 2013

Zach Wahls Stands Up for His Family

In this moving, much watch video, shot in February 2011, Zach Wahls - a 19-year-old University of Iowa student - addresses a public forum on House Joint Resolution 6 in the Iowa House of Representatives. Wahls has two mothers, and came to oppose House Joint Resolution 6 which would end civil unions in Iowa.

The fight to to keep marriage equality continues in Iowa and across the country!




Above is Talking With's interview with Mr. Wahls in which Zach speaks about what it was like growing up with two mothers, what led him to decide to go and speak before the House of Representatives, how his life has changed after this speech thrust him into the public eye, and what other young people can do to fight for equality and speak out against intolerance.

Thanks to Talking With for the comment and link!

Statement from NCLR Executive Director Kate Kendell on Today’s Ninth Circuit Ruling in Prop 8 Case

photo by Richard Perry / New York Times
Pictured in this New York Times photo from 2009 is my courageous family member Hannah Johnson tearing up as she applauds a New Jersey Senate committee vote on a bill to legalize gay marriage. The bill passed a committee vote but stalled in the Senate. The struggle continues in New Jersey and in California.

(San Francisco, CA, August 16, 2010) — Today, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals granted the Proposition 8 proponents’ motion to stay U.S. District Court Judge Vaughn Walker’s decision, which means that same-sex couples in California will not be able to marry while the case is on appeal. However, the Ninth Circuit put the appeal on a fast track and specifically directed that the Prop 8 proponents address "why the appeal should not be dismissed for lack of Article III standing” in their opening brief.

________________________________________

Statement on the from NCLR Executive Director Kate Kendell

”Every additional day that couples must wait to marry again in California is painful, but despite the terrible disappointment for the many couples whose right to marry has been delayed yet again, today’s ruling includes another significant victory for our side. The court did the right thing by putting the case on a fast track and specifically ordering that Prop 8 proponents show why they have a legal right to appeal. This ruling brings us one step closer to ending the nightmare of Prop 8, and restoring full equality for all Californians.”

More at:
The National Center for Lesbian Rights