Great Lakes Wire

Today marks the 10th anniversary of the landmark Supreme Court ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges, which legalized same-sex marriage and granted adoption rights to same-sex couples across the United States. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, who played a pivotal role in this historic case, issued a statement reflecting on its significance.

"Ten years ago, I brought a Michigan case to the United States Supreme Court, which legalized same-sex marriage and granted adoption rights to same-sex couples nationwide," said Nessel. She quoted Justice Kennedy's opinion from the Obergefell decision: "No union is more profound than marriage, for it embodies the highest ideals of love, fidelity, devotion, sacrifice, and family... The Constitution grants them that right."

Nessel expressed how personal this anniversary is for her and many others in Michigan and beyond. "It marks one of the best and most meaningful days of my life," she stated. She emphasized that while it was a victory for many families by providing legal recognition and rights previously denied, vigilance is necessary to protect these gains.

She highlighted ongoing efforts by some individuals and organizations attempting to reverse this progress: "A decade later, there are still individuals, lawmakers, and organizations working to undo this hard-fought progress." Nessel reiterated her commitment to defending marriage equality: "I remain as determined as ever to defend it."

Before her election as Attorney General, Nessel served as lead attorney for plaintiffs in DeBoer v. Snyder, which set the stage for Obergefell v. Hodges. Recently, she collaborated with Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes on their podcast series "Pantsuits and Lawsuits," discussing the legacy of marriage equality 10 years after the Supreme Court's decision.