USA: The decision in favor of gay marriage is getting closer
It would be an important turning point for all queers in the USA. Currently, everything looks as if people who live in a gay marriage will actually get more rights in the future. Many have not believed in this for a long time. After all, the numerous homophobic laws in some states have shown how difficult it is to fight for more equality in the land of "unlimited possibilities" with regard to LGBTQIA+.
Now, however, the time may finally have come. The representatives of the House of Representatives have voted with a majority for the protection of gay marriage. Now all that is needed is the final signature of President Biden to make the whole thing "official". Said protection will then be independent of other, earlier rulings.
A clear majority
Certainly, many who had been following the developments in the USA were positively surprised by the outcome of the vote. After all, the bill in question, which is intended to protect and further strengthen the rights of queer people, was approved by 258 votes to 169 and found to be good.
At a time when homophobic laws have only recently been passed in many states in the USA, this decision certainly comes as a surprise to many - but is all the more gratifying. The question "Will President Joe Biden sign the law?" can also be answered quickly. Here, probably no one has to tremble anymore. Because: The US president has already announced that he will agree.
Unlike his predecessor, Donald Trump, Biden has already made several small and larger gestures in support of the community. So his signature is really just a formality.
What does the new law mean?
Until recently, many experts believed that it would be difficult to move forward and legislate gay marriage protections in the United States.
However, many have now undoubtedly been proven wrong. Because: Regardless of other political views, both Democrats and Republicans worked out a compromise. The result: Marriage between two same-sex partners is to be recognized in all U.S. states, even in those states where it is fundamentally not possible to marry as a same-sex couple.
However, anyone who does not wish to work for a gay couple - for example, because of their faith - may continue to exercise their freedom of choice. An example: A restaurant operator may prohibit a gay couple from celebrating a wedding on his premises.
What is particularly pleasing, however, is that the new law now repeals the old law prohibiting same-sex marriages. (For the sake of completeness, it should be mentioned here that the old law in question has not been applied in the USA for some time).
The American scene celebrates
The road to the new draft law was long. But now it's time to celebrate. Many are pleased not only with the result, but also, among other things, with the fact that Democrats and Republicans were so united in part - even though political opinions (as is well known) otherwise diverge strongly.
The recognition of gay marriages is an important step, which of course is not only symbolic. At the same time, however, many people in the USA know that there is still a long way to go before complete equality is achieved.
In many countries, homosexual people are still discriminated against. In many schools, for example, it is not allowed to talk about homosexuality because many groups are still of the opinion that otherwise the traditional family image would suffer. But in view of the will of so many people to help queers achieve more equal rights in the USA, it is safe to assume that the last word has not yet been spoken here either.
Update from 14.12.2022
Joe Biden has now signed into law the law that will further protect gay marriage in the US. The law and the love it protects beat hate in all its forms, he declared. Among others, Cyndi Lauper and Sam Smith were also present at the signing of the law.
Now even the American states where marriage for all does not (yet?) exist must nevertheless recognize homosexual marriages. The definition of marriage as a union between a man and a woman also falls away. Biden has been considered an advocate of marriage for all for years - even under Obama. It's not the first time the 80-year-old has supported the community.
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