On June 26, 2015, the Supreme Court ruled in Obergefell v. Hodges in favor of same-sex marriage in all 50 states. The fight for equality was successful for U.S. citizens as the Supreme Court decided that same-sex marriage was guaranteed in the 14th Amendment.
Now, in 2025, several states, like Texas and Idaho, have taken action to attempt to overturn this Supreme Court ruling. In Michigan, Republican state representative, Josh Schriver has proposed a resolution against same-sex marriage stating that it is “at odds with the sanctity of marriage,” according to NBC News. Schriver is concerned that recent court decisions have been made on the basis of religious persecution and are unconstitutional.
In other words, Schriver believes that the decision to legalize same-sex marriage was unconstitutional as it was supposedly decided on the basis of religious persecution. In many religions, marriage is believed to be only between a man and woman. With that said, there are two sides to the argument of same-sex marriage: the ones who support it and the ones that do not. Those who do not agree believe that legalizing same-sex marriage was done to discriminate against their beliefs that marriage is only between a man and a woman.
However, Michigan is not the only state with plans to restrict or ban same-sex marriage. Similar proposals have been introduced in states like Texas, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Missouri, Oklahoma and Tennessee.
Just like that, the fight for equality is back in action. The reversal of Obergefell v. Hodges poses a threat to millions of individuals who identify with the LGBTQ+ community. According to the Pew Research Center, 7% of Americans identify with the community.
Danielle Shoulders, a first-year marketing major, believes that banning same-sex marriage would negatively impacts the lives of many people.
“Banning same sex marriage would reinforce negative behaviors in individuals who feel the need to discriminate against those who do not look or act the same as themselves,” Shoulders said. “This act alone can open the floodgates for discrimination against other minority groups within the United States.”
This recent uproar of disapproval for homosexual relationships comes after President Donald Trump signed the Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports on February 5th, 2025. This prohibits transgender women and girls from competing in women’s sports. Individuals have the right to their beliefs and opinions about different things, including same-sex marriage. However, placing bans on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional.
Section 1 of the 14th Amendment states, “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside. No state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.”
The Constitution states that no state can enforce laws that can infringe on the rights of U.S. citizens. Same-sex marriage is a right that should be available to all.
Using one’s religion as a reason to ban it is ludicrous and is hiding behind religion to spread hate. Not to mention, the Establishment Clause of the Constitution says that the United States cannot establish a national religion. Additionally, the Free Exercise Clause protects an individual’s right to practice any religion without government interference.
Similarly, Shoulder’s holds the same belief.
“By banning same-sex marriage, the problem of separating church and state is brought to the table as many religions believe that same-sex marriage goes against their teachings,” Shoulders said.
Taking all of this into consideration, basing laws on religious beliefs goes against what the Constitution stands for. Not everyone follows the same religion or has the same beliefs. While individuals can agree to disagree, restricting others’ lives is unlawful.
We live in a world that is severely divided on the basis of gender, race, sexuality, religion, social class and more. By banning same-sex marriage, Americans would be further divided. At the end of the day, we are all human and bleed the same color, regardless of sexual orientation.
