I wonder how opposite sex couples who want to get married would react to being threatened with the possibility of not being able to do so. How would married heteros react to the government telling them their marriage is unconstitutional?

Even if you don’t want to get married, the knowledge you can’t is powerful. I know. I’ve been there.

The lesbian flag represents unity and love.

You see, while it was June 2015 that the U.S. Supreme Court in the Obergefell v. Hodges decision legitimized same sex marriage, it keeps coming under threat. Fortunately, last November the top court refused to take up a case that could have overturned that ruling.

When will the next case come before the justices? Because it will. Look at Roe v. Wade; we know rights we thought could never be overturned can be.

Maybe we just need to get rid of marriage. Seriously.

Or maybe we could just stop calling it gay marriage.

It’s marriage.

I wrote about my feelings on this subject 13 months ago. I bring it up again today because just last weekend I was at a wedding reception for two women in their 20s—one of whom is like a niece to me. I’ve known her her whole life. I’ve been friends with her parents since we were all in our 20s. So, a long damn time.

Hannah and Cassie are well aware of the hatred so many in this country (and elsewhere) have for them—for everyone in the queer community. What makes me hopeful is that they aren’t backing down. They aren’t hiding their love. They are speaking out.

They are also just being themselves—two women who love each other. Two women who are now married. Two women who are navigating the world like most twentysomethings—balancing home life, work, education, etc.

Only they have the burden of knowing policymakers and their supporters don’t want them to be married. It’s insane. Why the hatred? Why the discrimination?

When you vote this year—in primaries and the general election—pay attention to what the candidates stand for. Equality. It’s a biggie in my book. Social justice matters on so many levels.