A decade ago, on June 25, marriage equality became the law of the land with the landmark Supreme Court decision Obergefell v. Hodges. But given the current political climate and Project 2025’s goal of promoting nuclear families, many fear that decision could be overturned.

Now both Jim Obergefell and Freedom to Marry founder Evan Wolfson have contributed to the a new coffee table book, LOVE: The Heroic Stories of Marriage Equality, which has over 360 pages of wedding photos and stories curated by photographer Frankie Frankeny and writer John Casey.

"There are other communities and values in more immediate danger. If we stand in solidarity and keep moving forward, we’ll secure our own rights too,” Wolfson said. “…If you’re worried — about marriage, about immigrants, anti-Semitism, the economy, women’s rights, trans rights, democracy — then the answer is to get to work. Worry doesn’t protect us. Action does.

“It’s hard to undo a right. It can happen — look at Dobbs overturning Roe v. Wade — but it’s rare. And even if the Supreme Court were to roll back Obergefell, we put a fallback in place: the Respect for Marriage Act.”

That bipartisan legislation signed by President Biden on the White House lawn requires that any marriage performed legally in one state must be recognized in all 50 states and by the federal government. Even if Obergefell were to fall, couples could still marry in states where it remains protected and be recognized nationally. The Respect for Marriage Act passed with support from Republicans, including some who once voted for the so-called Defense of Marriage Act.
“I understand the fear. But fear alone won’t protect us. We all need to do the work — each in our own way,” Wolfson noted, reflecting on the broader threats to democracy.

“None of us is 100% safe from the assaults and corruption of this current regime. That’s why we must reclaim political power — by electing better lawmakers, reforming the courts, and reaffirming the rule of law, democracy, and pluralism.”

While this issue affects all, Queer people — especially Trans people — are among those most targeted, and divide-and-conquer politics and the demonization of people have historically been used to climb the ladder of power, Wolfson said.

“The trans conversation is at an earlier stage than that for gay people, which makes it more vulnerable. Republicans are exploiting that. And yes, some missteps in our activism have made things harder. But we can course-correct,” he added.

He noted how Frankey’s wedding book reminds people of the challenges the LGBTQIA+ community has overcome, like the HIV/AIDS crisis, discrimination in the Reagan-era, and legal persecution.

“This is our generation’s call to action. We have to respond. And if we do it together — with solidarity and purpose — we will protect the people and values we love,” Wolfson said.