Why the Fight for US same-sex Marriage Is a UK Issue Too

For the first time since 2015, the United States Supreme Court has been formally asked to overturn Obergefell v. Hodges - the landmark ruling that made same-sex marriage legal across all 50 states.

To our queer siblings in the States: we see you. We feel the fear and uncertainty that comes with having your rights placed on the chopping block. This isn’t just about legal paperwork. It’s about your love, your families, your security, and your humanity being politicised and debated as if they’re optional.

Here in the UK, we know that feeling too well, and we also know this isn’t “just America’s problem.”

Image Credit: Rebel Love Club

Why This Matters to Us in the UK

It’s tempting for some to think, “Well, that’s across the pond. It won’t happen here.” But when it comes to LGBTQ+ rights, what happens in the US has a global ripple effect - culturally, politically, and socially.

1. It sets a dangerous precedent The US is one of the most visible nations on the world stage. If marriage equality can be rolled back there, it sends a message to other countries (and the people in them) that this is possible, even desirable. That kind of political permission slip emboldens anti-LGBTQ+ voices everywhere.

2. The UK is not immune to regression We’d love to believe that once rights are won, they’re safe forever. But progress isn’t linear. In the UK, we’ve already seen the government drag its feet on banning conversion therapy, openly attack trans rights, and feed into anti-“woke” rhetoric. It wouldn’t take much for marriage equality or other queer rights to become targets again.

3. Shared cultural influence US political trends often find their way into UK discourse. The rise in anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment here mirrors what we’ve seen in the States - from hostile headlines to politicians using our community as a culture war football.

   
   

A Note on UK Marriage “Equality”

It’s also important to acknowledge that here in the UK, while same-sex marriage is legal, we don’t yet have true marriage equality.

• Disabled people can face losing their Personal Independence Payment (PIP) if they marry or move in with a partner, forcing many to choose between love and financial security.

• Trans people still encounter hurdles around documentation, gender recognition, and how laws are applied in practice.

• Non-binary people are entirely excluded from the legal framework, as marriage law only recognises “male” and “female.”

So while we often use the term “equal marriage” to describe what was legalised in 2014, the reality is that our disabled, trans and non-binary siblings are still denied true equality.

This is why vigilance matters, progress is never complete until it’s for all of us.

The Ripple Effect on the LGBTQ+ Community

Even if UK marriage laws remain unchanged, this threat impacts us in other ways:

• Emotional impact - Watching a fundamental right get questioned anywhere reopens old wounds for queer people everywhere.

• Visibility & safety - These moves legitimise anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric, giving bigots confidence to be louder and bolder.

• International relationships - Many UK citizens are in relationships with US partners. If marriage recognition is stripped away in the US, it could affect visas, immigration rights, and family security.
  

How We Can Show Up in Solidarity

1. Raise awareness - Talk about this. Share reliable sources. Don’t let it disappear from the news cycle.

2. Support US-based advocacy groups - Donate, follow, and amplify organisations like the Human Rights Campaign, Lambda Legal, and The Trevor Project.

3. Protect our own rights here - Push for stronger legal protections in the UK so we never find ourselves in the same position.

Our Love Is Not Up for Debate

This is more than a legal battle - it’s a stark reminder that rights can be fragile if we’re not actively protecting them.

To our LGBTQ+ family in the States: you are not alone. We are watching, we are shouting with you, and we will fight alongside you to protect love in all its forms.

Because when one step is taken back in one country, the echo is felt in every queer heart across the world.