Great Lakes Wire

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel celebrated Pride Month at the White House this afternoon. The event coincided with the ninth anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court's Obergefell decision.

"I’m proud to celebrate today’s momentous anniversary at the White House alongside our nation’s leaders. In the nine years since the Supreme Court decision in Obergefell legalized same-sex marriage nationwide, we have been hard at work and I’m happy to join First Lady Jill Biden and many others this year in DC to reaffirm the promise of Obergefell nearly a decade since its passage," said Nessel.

"However, there is not a day that goes by in which I take this victory for granted. These rights hinge on a Supreme Court which has shown interest in reconsidering Obergefell, akin to their ruling which overturned Roe just two years ago. I remain committed to this work and know that the majority of Americans are with me. Together, our tireless defense of expression, equality, and love will continue to uplift and inspire our work to protect all residents equally."

Before her election as Attorney General, Nessel was lead attorney for the plaintiffs in DeBoer v. Snyder, a precursor to the landmark ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges. This ruling codified same-sex marriage and granted adoption rights to same-sex couples nationwide. Nessel also helped found the Fair Michigan Justice Project, an initiative between public and private attorneys aimed at investigating and prosecuting capital crimes against members of the LGBTQ community.

Nessel has worked extensively to ensure equitable access to employment, education, housing, and public accommodation for all residents. She personally argued Rouch World LLC et al v Michigan Department of Civil Rights et al before the Michigan Supreme Court in March 2022. This case secured a reinterpretation of the state’s Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act, protecting against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity before these protections were codified into law in 2023.