WASHINGTON, D.C. - The two Ohio protagonists in the 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges U.S. Supreme Court decision that legalized gay marriage nationwide on Tuesday expressed opposition to confirming Amy Coney Barrett as a U.S. Supreme Court Justice. They say her confirmation might erode marriage equality, protections for transgender Americans, and Affordable Care Act provisions that help people with pre-existing medical conditions secure health insurance.

“I can’t stress enough how important I believe it is that the two opposing sides of such a momentous ruling can stand together as friends and defend the LGBTQ plus communities' right to fully engage in our society as equals,” said Cincinnati’s Jim Obergefell, who who sued the state of Ohio to have his name listed as “surviving spouse” on the death certificate of the man he married in Maryland, John Arthur.

In a news conference with Obergefell and several Democratic U.S. Senators hosted by Family Equality, an organization that lobbies for the rights of LGBTQ+ families, former Ohio Department of Health director Richard Hodges said he fully supports marriage equality because “throughout my life, including as a public servant, my faith and conscience have compelled me to respect everyone and treat others in the way I wish to be treated.”

To read the full article, click here.