Jim Obergefell and John Arthur had a love that changed America’s same-sex marriage laws forever
The change means same-sex marriage will be a right guaranteed by the American Constitution.
Jim and his partner John Arthur had a deep commitment and love for each other that lasted several decades.
But it was the impending loss of that love and facing the fear of death that led them on the most passionate journey a couple could ever make to be recognised under law.
As the world celebrated the historical law change, Jim expressed his joy and grief on the personal journey the couple took, in an open letter to the White House.
“My husband John died 20 months ago, so we’re unable to celebrate together the Supreme Court’s decision on the case that bears my name, Obergefell v Hodges,” he said.
“Today, for the first time, any couple — straight, lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender — may obtain a marriage license and make their commitments public and legal in all 50 states,” he said.
Jim said he and John started the fight for one simple reason.
“We wanted the State of Ohio to recognise our lawful Maryland marriage on John’s impending death certificate.
“We wanted respect and dignity for our 20-year relationship and as he lay dying of ALS.
“John had the right to know his last official record as a person would be accurate,” he said.
But John’s passing, just three months after the couple wed in 2013, meant he never got to know whether the relationship would be honoured in his death.
Together, they sought legal help to make their home state recognise their out-of-state marriage.
“We wanted to live up to the promises we made to love, honour, and protect each other as a committed and lawfully married couple,” Jim said.
The battle was hard fought and won. The couple’s journey will go down in pages of history and change the future for all gay couples who will have their marriages recognised and respected.
“No other person will learn at the most painful moment of married life, the death of a spouse, that their lawful marriage will be disregarded by the state,” Jim said.
“No married couple who moves will suddenly become two single persons because their new state ignores their lawful marriage.
“I can finally relax knowing that Ohio can never erase our marriage from John’s death certificate, and my husband can now truly rest in peace.”
The Supreme Court litigation ran over two years and was the culmination of multiple cases where same-sex couples who married in states where it was legal were not recognised in other states that defined marriage as between a man and a woman.
It meant they were cut off from a range of government benefits as a result of the law.
After the court ruling President Barack Obama congratulated Jim on the win. “We’re really proud of you,” CNN reported.
“Just know that, you know, not only have you been a great example for people, but you’re also going to bring about a lasting change in this country. It’s pretty rare where that happens.
“I couldn’t be prouder of you and your husband. God bless you,” the President said.
THIS is the story of love that changed America forever.
Jim Obergefell was a plaintiff in the US Supreme Court case that saw same-sex marriage recognised in all 50 states.The change means same-sex marriage will be a right guaranteed by the American Constitution.
Jim and his partner John Arthur had a deep commitment and love for each other that lasted several decades.
But it was the impending loss of that love and facing the fear of death that led them on the most passionate journey a couple could ever make to be recognised under law.
As the world celebrated the historical law change, Jim expressed his joy and grief on the personal journey the couple took, in an open letter to the White House.
“Today, for the first time, any couple — straight, lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender — may obtain a marriage license and make their commitments public and legal in all 50 states,” he said.
Jim said he and John started the fight for one simple reason.
“We wanted the State of Ohio to recognise our lawful Maryland marriage on John’s impending death certificate.
“We wanted respect and dignity for our 20-year relationship and as he lay dying of ALS.
“John had the right to know his last official record as a person would be accurate,” he said.
But John’s passing, just three months after the couple wed in 2013, meant he never got to know whether the relationship would be honoured in his death.
Together, they sought legal help to make their home state recognise their out-of-state marriage.
“We wanted to live up to the promises we made to love, honour, and protect each other as a committed and lawfully married couple,” Jim said.
The battle was hard fought and won. The couple’s journey will go down in pages of history and change the future for all gay couples who will have their marriages recognised and respected.
“No other person will learn at the most painful moment of married life, the death of a spouse, that their lawful marriage will be disregarded by the state,” Jim said.
“No married couple who moves will suddenly become two single persons because their new state ignores their lawful marriage.
“I can finally relax knowing that Ohio can never erase our marriage from John’s death certificate, and my husband can now truly rest in peace.”
The Supreme Court litigation ran over two years and was the culmination of multiple cases where same-sex couples who married in states where it was legal were not recognised in other states that defined marriage as between a man and a woman.
It meant they were cut off from a range of government benefits as a result of the law.
After the court ruling President Barack Obama congratulated Jim on the win. “We’re really proud of you,” CNN reported.
“Just know that, you know, not only have you been a great example for people, but you’re also going to bring about a lasting change in this country. It’s pretty rare where that happens.
“I couldn’t be prouder of you and your husband. God bless you,” the President said.
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