Marriage equality has once again taken center stage in the national discourse as the United States Supreme Court announced its intentions to consider revisiting the landmark ruling on same-sex marriage. This decision has sparked renewed anxiety among thousands of couples whose relationships are now under scrutiny.
Anthony Lewis and Daniel Simpson, who celebrated a decade of marriage equality last June during CBS News Philadelphia’s Heart of Pride special, expressed their apprehensions about the Court potentially reevaluating the decisions that safeguard their union. “It feels like we’re in a world where there’s one step forward with progress and then two steps back,” Lewis remarked, reflecting the uncertainty many same-sex couples are feeling at this moment.
The Supreme Court is set to deliberate on a case initiated by Kim Davis, a former clerk from Kentucky known for her refusal to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Davis is advocating for the overturning of the 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges decision, which established the right to same-sex marriage in the U.S., citing her religious convictions as the basis for her challenge.
Philadelphia attorney Angela Giampolo, who has been assisting couples like Lewis and Simpson through her firm, the Giampolo Law Group, is encouraging same-sex couples not to succumb to fear but to be proactive in protecting their rights. “I always tell people don’t be scared. Just be prepared,” Giampolo advised, highlighting the importance of estate planning and legal documentation beyond marriage certificates to ensure their rights are secured.
While there are no immediate changes expected following the Court’s decision on November 7, Giampolo urges couples to consider marrying sooner rather than later, preferably with a prenup in place for additional security. “If you are in a committed relationship and you were and are considering getting married, I do advise doing so sooner rather than later — safely, with a pre-nuptial,” she emphasized.
Since the legalization of same-sex marriage in 2015, the number of married same-sex couples in the country has surpassed 820,000, more than doubling the figures from prior years. Among these couples, nearly 300,000 children are being raised in loving families, including around 24,000 couples in Pennsylvania alone.
For Lewis and Simpson, this issue transcends politics; it’s a matter of family and love. “Our marriage is no different than anyone else’s,” Lewis stated firmly. “Good times, bad times. Highs and lows. It’s just two people who happen to meet and fall madly in love with each other and want to spend the rest of our life together, and the fact that we’re two men doesn’t take away from that at all.” This sentiment resonates with many, suggesting that love remains a powerful force, capable of transcending challenges.