rights
11 years after Obergefell, marriage equality remains under scrutiny
By Joe Reberkenny at Washington Blade
· June 26, 2026
· 9 min read
Friday marks 11 years since the U.S. Supreme Court ruled the Constitution protects same-sex marriage in Obergefell v. Hodges. Despite that major win for LGBTQ people nationwide, the case may be on shakier ground than originally thought. Obergefell v. Hodges, the case that determined the Constitution
Key takeaway The central arguments in the case rested on the 14th Amendment's Equal Protection Clause, Due Process Clause, as well as collateral spousal and parental rights.
Why this matters
The 11-year milestone of the Obergefell v. Hodges ruling highlights the ongoing vulnerability of marriage equality in the United States. Despite the Supreme Court's decision, which relied on the 14th Amendment's Equal Protection and Due Process Clauses, the legal foundation of same-sex marriage remains subject to potential challenges. The fact that Obergefell was decided through a combination of cases from multiple states, including Michigan and Ohio, underscores the patchwork nature of LGBTQ+ rights in the country. With legal protections varying significantly by state, the National LGBTQ Task Force and other advocacy groups continue to play a crucial role in monitoring and addressing threats to marriage equality. As the legal landscape evolves, it is essential to recognize the continued relevance of national resources like the Trevor Project, which provides critical support to LGBTQ+ individuals navigating a complex and often uncertain legal environment.
About this story
Original reporting by Washington Blade . LGBTQ News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit Washington Blade . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: rights ·
Published: June 26, 2026 ·
Source: Washington Blade ·
Reading time: 9 min
Get more LGBTQ News stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering rights and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Friday marks 11 years since the U.S. Supreme Court ruled the Constitution protects same-sex marriage in Obergefell v. Hodges. Despite that major win for LGBTQ people nationwide, the case may be on shakier ground than originally thought. Obergefell v. Hodges, the case that determined the Constitution
When was this published? This article was first published on June 26, 2026 by Washington Blade and curated for LGBTQ News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Joe Reberkenny at Washington Blade. To learn more about how LGBTQ News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more rights coverage from LGBTQ News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .