The Senate Is Voting This Week to Protect Gay Marriage. Here’s How You Can Help.

Vote is expected Wednesday on bipartisan legislation that would enshrine marriage equality into federal law.

Many across the nation are concerned that after the overturning of Roe v. Wade in June, opponents of marriage equality are growing more committed to reversing gay marriage. This is particularly relevant in Florida, where Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis has passed legislation, such as the “Don’t Say Gay Bill,” among others, that critics claim limits the rights of LGBTQ families and individuals.

In response to this, Sens. Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, both Democrats, and Republicans Susan Collins of Maine, Rob Portman of Ohio and Thom Tillis of North Carolina, announced Monday that they have reached agreement on revised legislation that would enshrine marriage equality into federal law. 

It Has President Biden’s Support

After Senate negotiators announced their agreement, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer filed a motion to set up a procedural vote to advance the bill, which is expected for Wednesday.

The amendment “recognizes the importance of marriage, acknowledges that diverse beliefs and the people who hold them are due respect, and affirms that couples, including same-sex and interracial couples, deserve the dignity, stability and ongoing protection of marriage.” 

President Joe Biden has declared his support for the Respect for Marriage Act, which would repeal the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act of 1996, guarantee the federal rights and benefits of marriages in the federal code. It also affirms that states must recognize the legal incidents of marriage — such as adoptions and divorce decrees — from other states.

At the same time, the bipartisan amendment makes sure that nonprofit religious organizations will not be required to provide services, facilities or goods for the celebration of a same-sex marriage, among other provisos. 

Taking Action for Equality

According to the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the upcoming vote has opponents of marriage equality getting louder about reversing this right. For this reason, they’re calling on the Senate to pass the Respect for Marriage Act and urge everyone who supports marriage equality to CALL or EMAIL their senators urging them to vote Yes. 

“No American should ever, ever be discriminated against because of who they love, and passing this bill would secure much-needed safeguards into federal law,” Schumer said on the Senate floor.