Jim Obergefell Reflects on Fate of Marriage Equality
By Jim Obergefell
Photo: Emma Parker Photography
Our nation marked nine years of marriage equality on June 26, 2024. As one of more than 30 plaintiffs in the U.S. Supreme Court case that affirmed samesex couples’ right to marry, this anniversary should have filled me with nothing but joy. I did experience joy, but also foreboding — a fear that Obergefell v. Hodges might not survive to its 10th anniversary.
Over these nine years, hundreds of thousands of couples have married, and thousands of families have formed. Whether they want marriage or not, queer people see a future that includes them. A young woman once told me that, if it weren’t for Obergefell v. Hodges, she would have committed suicide. She found a reason to keep living in that court decision, rather than end her life, and countless others undoubtedly found hope when before they had none.
Marriage equality brought dignity, security and a sense of belonging to people across our nation. Regardless of the outrageous claims made by opponents, no religious leader has been jailed for refusing to officiate, and opposite-sex couples haven’t stopped marrying or having children. Their dire claims of the fall of society have, unsurprisingly, proven to be just as hollow as their claims of loving their neighbors as themselves.
It is foolish to believe the right to marry is safe, especially because the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022 with their Dobbs decision, eliminating the constitutional right to abortion. This was the first time in our nation’s history the court rescinded a right instead of affirming one. This court has turned its back on its bedrock principle of precedent because of personal attitudes, not law. Justices Thomas and Alito have made it clear that they will overturn Obergefell v. Hodges. It isn’t a question of if a case to overturn marriage equality will make it to the Supreme Court, but when.
What is at the heart of opposition to marriage equality and LGBTQ+ equality in general? What motivates the extreme hatred toward the transgender community? Why is the LGBTQ+ community targeted with hate and discrimination? In a word: religion.
Just as with interracial marriage, opponents of marriage equality used religious belief to justify bans on same-sex marriage. They conflated holy matrimony — a ceremony blessed by a faith leader in a house of worship — with marriage, a civil right requiring a government-issued license but no religious ceremony. They declared that the sole purpose of marriage is procreation, a claim refuted by
the lack of bans on marriage between those who are unable to conceive or who are past childbearing age.
Some religious believers frequently point to seven Bible passages they say condemn homosexuality to justify anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and hate, although same-sex attraction and pairing occur throughout the animal kingdom. Transgender people are attacked because some believers say their God created only two sexes, ignoring the scientific fact that people are born with both male and female genitalia or differing numbers of sex chromosomes.
Louisiana law now requires all schools to display the Ten Commandments, and Oklahoma law requires all schools to teach the Bible. Both laws are obvious religious indoctrination rooted in a superiority complex, the feeling that only Christian beliefs and traditions are acceptable, moral and just. This is not religious freedom — it is preference given to one religion over all others in the law and a complete mockery of the religious freedom our founders enshrined in the Constitution.
No Christian has been prevented from practicing or teaching their faith in their home or house of worship. No Christian has been arrested or denied their rights because of their beliefs. That is religious freedom, not the perverted version being pushed by a minority.
Every person deserves a place in We the People, but that will happen only when our nation’s elected officials and judiciary accurately reflect who we are as a people. We can achieve that lofty goal only when every voter votes in every election. Doing otherwise results in what we have now: a Supreme Court unwilling to affirm equal justice under law to all, regardless of religious belief.
We must do better as citizens of this nation. If we don’t, I fear not only marriage equality but our democracy itself will come to an end.
Jim Obergefell, the plaintiff in the landmark marriage equality case Obergefell v. Hodges, is a speaker on LGBTQ+ equality and civil rights and the co-founder of Equality Vines, a causebased wine label supporting equality organizations. Jim is the President of the WebQ Board of Directors and serves on advisory boards for the GLBT Historical Society and the Mattachine Society of Washington, DC. He has previously been involved with SAGE and Family Equality.
Jim co-authored “Love Wins” and has contributed to various publications and essays. He is also a producer for the documentary series “Just Married.” His diverse career includes roles as a high school German teacher, corporate trainer, relationship manager, software education consultant and real estate agent. Born in Sandusky, Ohio, Jim now resides there after living in Cincinnati, Columbus and Washington, D.C.
Outsports Unveils Team LGBTQ
By Josh Lefferson
Photo: Outsports.com
Outsports, part of the LGBTQ-owned and operated media company Q.Digital, and the leading voice in LGBTQ sports, is proud to announce the launch of “Out- sports’ Team LGBTQ,” the most extensive database and in-depth coverage of out LGBTQ athletes competing in the 2024 Paris Summer Games. The number of athletes on “Outsports’ Team LGBTQ” for Summer 2024 is 144 and counting. Some of the higher-profile athletes include American track and field athletes Sha’Carri Richardson, Raven Saunders, Nikkie Hiltz and Nico Young; American basketball players Diana Taurasi, Breanna Stewart and Brittney Griner; and American BMX Freestyle riders Hannah Roberts and Per- ris Benegas. British diver Tom Daley will compete in his fifth Games, and Brazil’s legendary soccer player Marta will com- pete in her sixth. Canada’s soccer player Quinn returns as the rare trans and nonbinary athlete (along with Hiltz), competing in soccer.
“As the world’s attention turns to Paris, Outsports celebrates the participation and achievements of the out-LGBTQ athletes who will be competing,” says Cyd Zeigler, co-founder of Outsports. “We are excit- ed to shine a spotlight on these incredible individuals and share their stories with the world.”
This year, at least 24 countries, including the Refugee Team, are represented by at least one publicly out athlete in 32 sports. Once again, The United States has the most out athletes at the Olympics, with 28, about a fifth of all the attendees on the list. Team USA is followed in the number of publicly out LGBTQ athletes by Brazil (22), Australia (17), Great Britain (10), and Germany (9).
Women on the list outnumber men by about a 7 to 1 margin, with women’s soc- cer having the most out athletes of any sports, with more than 30 out players.
“These athletes are a testament to the tremendous progress the LGBTQ community has made, in sports and society at large, in many parts of the world,” says Outsports co-founder Jim Buzinski.
He acknowledges, however, that the bat- tle is not yet won. In many countries par- ticipating in the Games, just walking down the street, or holding a Pride parade, as an LGBTQ person is illegal. “We hope our list of athletes on Team LGBTQ inspires peo- ple across the world, including in countries where being out is extremely difficult, to keep going,” Buzinski adds.
In addition to hosting the largest and most detailed database of out Olympians and Paralympians – with bios, achievements, and personal stories that highlight their athletic prowess and unique journeys – Outsports will continue to publish exclu- sive interviews with the athletes and indepth features on their contributions to sports and the LGBTQ community.
Outsports will also provide real-time cov- erage and updates throughout the Games, ensuring fans stay informed about the lat- est achievements and milestones. Coverage will span a wide range of content, including feature stories, video interviews, and social media highlights.
Founded in 1999, Outsports is the inter- net’s first community covering LGBTQ+ is- sues and personalities in amateur and pro- fessional sports. Earlier this year, Q.Digital, announced the acquisition of Outsports from Vox Media’s SB Nation.
“’Outsports’ Team LGBTQ’ is the go-to re- source for fans, athletes and allies seeking to follow the journeys of LGBTQ competi- tors at the Games,” Zeigler said. “As part of its unparalleled coverage and a com- mitment to inclusivity, Outsports’ Team LGBTQ promises to inspire and engage audiences around the globe.”
For more information and to follow the coverage, visit Outsports’ website and connect on social media using the hashtag #TeamLGBTQ.
PrettiBoiRoq Get Fast and Furious
By Jamie Booth
Photo credit: Nicholas Eastman
Styling:
Chelsea Bangasser
After the success of “Bad Bitch Alert”, his single with trans rapper Chanel Jole, PrettiBoiRoq is gearing up to show a different side of his music and aesthetic. “I’m out to prove that I have more to say than ‘shake your ass and f*ck’,” he says.
His latest track, “In My Ride”, is lighthearted, pop-oriented fun. “I don’t feel like we have enough representation of love in gay hip hop,” he continues. “We have plenty of tracks about sex and casual hook-ups, but not much about real romance, even though most of us live both pretty equally.”
when I met my ‘In My Ride’ guy,” PrettiBoiRoq recalls. “He showed me I could connect with someone and that I had the ability to love again.”
PrettiBoiRoq explains more from his LA home.
“In My Ride” is a big change from your previous track with Chanel Jole. Why the 180?
I’m showcasing my diversity as an artist. There will always be a level of Bad Bitch energy to anything I create. It’s part of my brand.
Can you take us back and tell us about your journey into hip-hop and what inspired you to start making music?
“In My Ride” personifies summer love. It was inspired by the artist’s own shortlived but high-octane romance. “I had just ended a long-term relationship and was discouraged with the dating scene
I’ve always been a creative human. I went to school for visual arts and when I moved from North Carolina to Los Angeles, I originally wanted to pursue acting. I quickly realized it wasn’t really where my heart was. I would spend a lot of time writing music.
I started performing locally and I got a great response. Queer music has always been a thing, but the element that I bring is a main stream appeal. While my lyrics are unapologetically gay, my sound is very top 40.
How has your identity influenced your music and the stories you tell through your lyrics?
I think gay culture is inherently sexual, especially within the gay male community. I also think a lot of gay males resonate with female artists, especially within hip-hop so I think a combination of those two aspects shape both my sound and my lyricism.
What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in the hip-hop industry as an out rapper?
The biggest challenge any artist faces, regardless of sexuality or orientation, is being taken seriously; proving I’m more than a gimmick. I also struggle because within the community most of the music made is what people would consider drag queen music, which, don’t get me wrong, I love.
Drag queens have been pillars of our community since the beginning and I love that we celebrate them through music. The music I make, however, doesn’t fall under that umbrella.
How do you feel about the current state of LGBTQ+ representation in hip-hop?
We have way more representation within the queer community now than ever before, but it’s still severely lacking. I would love to see more queer artists achieve mainstream success for their talent rather than some novelty. I think we are on the cusp of it.
Who are your biggest musical influences, both within and outside the hip-hop genre?
Anyone who follows me knows that Nicki Minaj is a huge influence for me. I would also say Iggy Azalea and I love Cazwell. I would watch him on YouTube in my high
school days and it was inspiring to see a gay man making music unapologetically. I think you can see little pieces of these artists trickle throughout my work. I certainly don’t think I would be where I am today without them.
Can you walk us through your creative process when writing and producing a new track like “In My Ride”?
When the producer first shared the beat track for “In My Ride”, I instantly thought about summer and love and how, as we get older, a lot of the magic of being young and in love dies. It’s sad. I think we become more realistic in our expectations.
When I started writing this track, I had just started dating someone and it was the first real relationship I had had since I ended an eight-year relationship. I had almost forgotten what it was like to fall in love with someone, and while the relationship didn’t last, it gave me hope that I could experience that feeling again.
How have your fans responded to your music and your openness about your sexuality?
I think the funniest interactions are when I’m recognized outside of performance and people expect this hypersexual over-the-top being and I’m actually very chill and calm. It’s an interesting dynamic meeting fans when I’m Cory and not PrettiBoi because we’re
very different. Even when I’m in the studio with another artist, it’s fun to watch them react to me turning on in the booth and then coming out calm, cool and collected.
What advice would you give to other LGBTQ+ artists who are looking to break into the hip-hop industry?
Be ready to put your money where your mouth is. You have to be willing to invest in your talent before anybody else will. A lot of people think you make one track, it takes off, you become famous, and the money starts pouring in.
That’s not how it works. I work two different jobs, six days a week. I manage my own social media and pay for all my studio, recording and mixing out-of-pocket. I work with a team of close friends to help alleviate some of the creative direction as far as videos and rollouts but again I pay everyone who works for me.
I would say stay focused, listen to those close to you, and no matter how hard it gets, never give up on your dreams. The only people who fail are those who stop trying.
PrettiBoiRoq’s “In My Ride” is available on all digital platforms. Visit prettiboiroq.com and follow PrettiBoiRoq on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @prettiboiroq
Photos by: Russ Bowen-Youngblood
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Photos by: Russ Bowen-Youngblood
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We all have those moments of ‘wait, did they just say that?’ Lucky for you, we compile the best of the best right here on this page. Want to join in on the b*tch session? Submit your own nuggets to info@davidatlanta.com.
I’m not as b*tchy as I could be, and I want people to be more grateful for that.
Was Abraham Lincoln gay? Well, he wasn’t shot a football game…
When I die, please bury me in whatever t-shirt it would be funniest for a skeleton to be wearing.
Of course I have a nighttime routine. It’s called 30-75 minutes on my phone!
Whenever I have an iced tea, I silently whisper to myself “my body is my temple”.
Why can’t I have one of those fake gay jobs like ‘creative director’?
My friend just referred to Grindr is Doordash for men, and I’m having a crisis.
Do gays even work? How can they plan pickleball and a coffee date in the middle of the day?
