Today, President Biden signed the Respect for Marriage Act into law.
President and CEO of Physicians for Reproductive Health and ob/gyn in Washington, DC Dr. Jamila Perritt responds:
“Today is a step in the right direction as we work towards creating an equitable world every person. As physicians and public health providers, we know that no one should be subjected to unjust laws or policy that discriminate against them because of who they are and who they love. The passage and enactment of the Respect for Marriage Act is a spark of light in the dark as we continue to grieve attacks on the LGBTQ community and push for a world where our human right to be with who we love is supported and protected. But we also acknowledge that there is so much more to be done, especially because the protections afforded by this law are only valid for people who were married in a state that recognizes marriages between people of the same sex.
Your rights should never be dependent on or determined by your sexuality, who you love, and who or if you marry.
“Your rights should never be dependent on or determined by your sexuality, who you love, and who or if you marry. They should never determine the access to or quality of health care you receive. They should never determine your ability to be safe and cared for in your community. At a time when the Supreme Court is stacked to make decisions that undermine the most vital parts of our human condition, disregard and devalue our identities, and strip us of our human right to survive and thrive, we urge our political leadership to take further steps in codifying marriage equality in federal law, no matter where the marriage takes place.”