How the Respect for Marriage Act Became Law

On December 13, President Biden signed the Respect for Marriage Act into federal law, ensuring all Americans can marry who they love. For months, Interfaith Alliance has been working alongside partners to push the Respect for Marriage Act across the finish line before a new Congress takes over in January. Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush, President of Interfaith Alliance and host of State of Belief, Interfaith Alliance’s weekly radio show and podcast, was on the White House lawn the day of the bill’s signing, and this week he’ll be speaking with advocates who diligently worked to get the Respect for Marriage Act to President Biden’s desk. Interfaith Alliance Director of Policy and Advocacy Katy Joseph returns to the show alongside GLBTQ Legal Advocates and Defenders – GLAD – Senior Attorney Mary Bonauto, who was one of the attorneys who successfully argued the Obergefell case before the Supreme Court, to speak with Paul about the relationship between religious freedom and LGBTQ+ equality, the process it took to get the bill to passage, and what it means now that it is officially signed into law. The Rev. Traci Blackmon is Associate General Minister for Justice and Local Church Ministries for the United Church of Christ. A deeply spiritual leader who brings faith to bear on issues of social justice and dignity for all people, Traci joins Paul this week to walk through her own and UCC’s advocacy efforts behind the Respect for Marriage Act, the diverse faith coalition in support of the bill, and what lies ahead for social justice activists in the upcoming year. And we’ll hear the initial reaction to the signing from Father James Martin, editor-at-large at America Magazine and a Jesuit priest widely respected for his ministry walking with LGBTQI+ Catholics and advocating for their dignity in the Church. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices