U.S. cartoonist Alison Bechdel portrayed as she works in her studio at the castle of Civitella Ranieri, central Italy, Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2014, courtesy of the John D. & Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.
The text of the Supreme Court decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, 576 U.S. ___ (2015), may be found just about everywhere, but also here.
With praise and thanks to all the people who got us here, including (but certainly not limited to) the magnificent women whose images are included in this post.
Edie Windsor, the plaintiff in U. S. v. Windsor (credit unknown)
Mary Bonauto, whom Barney Frank has rightly called “our Thurgood Marshall,” courtesy of the John D. & Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.
Listening List
Ring of Keys from Fun Home, composer Jeanine Tesori and book writer-lyricist Lisa Kron.
Credits: The image of Alison Bechdel, courtesy of the John D. & Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, may be found here. The image of Edie Windsor is available from several sources, but the credit does not seem to be known. The image of Mary Bonauto may be found here, also courtesy of the John D. & Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.
Prufrock's Dilemma 
What can I do but rejoice with you that in our parts of the world the tide is in our favour. Sadly we also live in a world where two Moroccan gay men can be imprisoned for four months simply by standing ‘too close’ to each other in a holiday snap. And of course worse elsewhere. Not wishing to provide a downer but to be thankful for the accident of fate which puts us on this planet where and when we are.
As for ‘getting married’, dammit, we’ve been ‘married’ 27 years – you, am I right, for longer – but it seemed only thankful to celebrate what so many people want by upgrading from civil partnership. Not going to use the word ‘husband’, though – ‘habibi’ is as close as we’re getting.
David: Yes, it’s far worse elsewhere, though even here, this was a long time in coming, and I didn’t expect to see it at all, certainly not with the Supreme Court as currently constituted. I agree with your point, and I don’t necessarily subscribe to the court’s reasoning, but (as your comments suggest), every now and then, it’s worth it to set aside the caveats and simply celebrate the result. This is one such–and momentous–time.
Brilliant! A stunning victory! Congratulations America! The news came in last last night own time and sleep came slowly, feeling the love verily leaping from the news pages and video clips (and shining a light on our deal leadership down here). Mr Obama spoke well. Talk about trickle down! He trickles down love, ain’t that a change.
wanderer: I’m still not quite believing what has occurred. Obama did indeed speak well, evidence of how far his thinking has come on this issue (e.g. his choice of Rick Warren for the inaugural prayer). Yes, indeed, ain’t that a change, and most welcome, too.
Obama’s Mensch-like qualities, whatever the wobbles of his reign, have never faltered – indeed, grown even brighter. Also amused and even a little touched by his handling of the heckler at the White House’s Pride Week reception. Why, o why, can’t we have a sincere statesman of this quality here in the UK (notwithstanding Cameron’s surprise introduction of gay marriage)? We’re in for a bumpy ride; each day brings some new horror of a bill, though hopefully the constitution of parliament will block most.
David: Yes, his star has really been shining out, lately, even breaking out into Amazing Grace in his eulogy for Clementa Pinckney, the slain Charleston minister https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IN05jVNBs64, which I see you have also posted.
Hi Susan – I was so pleased to read the ‘so ordered’ … that is good news for our lives – everyone is equal and fair is fair … I must listen to the Obama talk … I’ve been away – cheers Hilary
Hilary: Welcome back! The pithy elegance of your statement, “that is good news for our lives – everyone is equal and fair is fair,” is worth thousands of pages of legal briefs.
Dear Sue, I’m so glad that there is “order” now! In Germany they are still working on some important items, but I think they have finally to accept reality. Rejoice!
Britta: Yes, and may Germany follow suit soon. It’s interesting to me in what short “order” the impossible turned into the inevitable.
I just had an intense discussion about this over breakfast with my father and sister, which dampened my elation somewhat. And then I remembered where I am, and where I live, and the mindset of people here.
But that doesn’t stop me from being all teary-eyed when I read about this over the weekend. I don’t believe in marriage for myself, but I am so happy for my friends who now have everywhere else to go in the US to get married, and get recognised, and have rights.
There’s still a lot of work to do for the rest of the world, but this, now, fills me with much joy.
T.
T.: Always so nice to hear from you. It’s certainly been an extraordinary few days here. Another powerful moment here was Obama’s eulogy for the minister slain in Charleston. I don’t know whether this has come your way, but, in case not, here is an astounding clip: https://youtu.be/IN05jVNBs64. Yes, there is still a lot–more than a lot–of work to do for the rest of the world, but perhaps moments like this can give one hope that good can prevail.
So much joy and strength encapsulated within the grief. Thanks for this, Sue.
T.
To which I might add Merkel’s hopeful signs in persuading recalcitrant countries to sign up to clean energy (long way to go on that one, and she’s in deep re poor but not blameless Greece) and the Lancashire council which rejected fracking. Definitely on the minus side: Russian lawyers looking into the ‘legality’ of the Baltic States’ independence (a constant worry), suicide bomb after suicide bomb, the Islamic world’s failure to stand up to IS etc etc.
T: Beautifully put!
David: Excellent additions, on both sides of the question.