We join our LGBT friends across the United States in celebrating the Supreme Court’s decision to legalize same-sex marriage on Friday.
Unlike all the previous half measures over more narrowly applied laws in certain jurisdictions, this is the big one opening up marriage equality to every person in every state.
It may have been five Supreme Court justices who determined the constitution grants them that right, but let’s not forget that this only happened because people spent decades fighting for it — people in the LGBT community.
Sunday marks 46 years since the Stonewall riots, largely regarded as the first time gays and lesbians made a stand and demanded to be treated with dignity and respect after decades of legal and social persecution.
But, heartened as we are, the fight isn’t yet done. Full legal recognition of same-sex marriage is a massive win but in most states, it’s still perfectly legal to fire a person simply for being gay. Only a few offer transgender Americans protection.
And proud as we are that Canada recognized same-sex marriages more than a decade ago, the suicide rate among LGBT teens is still 14 times higher than among their peers, according to the Canadian Mental Health Association. That shows there’s still a lot of growing up to do among our wider culture.
Our schools are on the right track with anti-bullying policies and education with an emphasis on LGBT inclusion.
In the meantime, we look forward to what we are certain is going to be the most boisterous year of pride parades we’ve ever seen.
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