As the 10-year anniversary of Obergefell v. Hodges is honored this pride—a landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide—LGBTQ+ communities across the country are reflecting on how far we’ve come, and more importantly, how much further we still have to go.

At Northern Kentucky University this spring, a commemorative event brought together students, legal scholars, and activists to honor the progress sparked by the 2015 decision while warning of growing political efforts to reverse that momentum. It’s a powerful reminder: Pride is not just a party—it’s a protest, a reflection, and a recommitment to protecting hard-fought freedoms.

A Milestone Worth Celebrating

The Obergefell ruling was a transformational moment in American history. It legally recognized the love and dignity of same-sex couples, affirming their constitutional right to marry. For millions, it was a moment of visibility and validation—a long-awaited acknowledgment from the highest court that queer love is equal under the law.

Jim Obergefell, the lead plaintiff in the case that bears his name, spoke at the Northern Kentucky University event earlier this year. “This case… to have a right to marry affirmed, was such a beautiful day,” he said. “It gave hope to millions of people, made millions of people feel more part of we the people.”

For LGBTQ+ Americans, it marked more than just the ability to say “I do.” It meant access to health care, legal protections, parental rights, inheritance rights, and countless benefits that heterosexual couples had long taken for granted.

Remembering the Past, Confronting the Present

The university hosted four panel discussions, featuring voices from both sides of the original Supreme Court case—plaintiff Jim Obergefell, defendant Richard Hodges, and attorney Al Gerhardstein—as well as legal experts and community leaders. They examined the case’s legacy, the road that led to it, and the threats now looming in its aftermath.

Professor Regina Hillman from the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law discussed the decades-long struggle that preceded the ruling. She invoked the era of the “Lavender Scare”—a time when LGBTQ+ federal workers were systematically fired, surveilled, and shamed. “It was such a devastating time for thousands and thousands of people,” she said. “But I see over and over again the resilience of the community and fighting back and gaining rights.”

That resilience is needed more than ever today.

A Rising Backlash

While the victory of marriage equality was a turning point, it was never the end of the road. In fact, the past several years have seen a disturbing surge in anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and rhetoric across the United States—particularly aimed at transgender individuals and queer youth.

According to Human Rights Campaign, 2024 set a record for the number of anti-LGBTQ+ bills introduced in state legislatures. Many of these targeted gender-affirming care, drag performances, and inclusive school curriculums. But activists warn: when one group in the LGBTQ+ community is attacked, the rights of all are at risk.

Al Gerhardstein, who represented Obergefell in the Supreme Court case, emphasized this point. “While I say that gay marriage may be secure, trans rights are certainly not secure,” he said. “I would ask ordinary people to look at their trans neighbors, their trans family members, and do everything they can to protect them—with local legislation, with action, and with compassion.”

And the threat isn’t limited to state houses. In recent years, conservative justices and lawmakers have hinted at revisiting Supreme Court precedents, including Obergefell v. Hodges. In his concurring opinion overturning Roe v. Wade in 2022, Justice Clarence Thomas explicitly mentioned the need to reconsider Obergefell. That chilling signal cannot be ignored.

Why Pride 2025 Matters More Than Ever

This summer’s Pride season falls just weeks before the 10th anniversary of Obergefell. For many, it’s a time to celebrate—but also a time to organize.

Jim Obergefell reminded attendees in Kentucky that the fight isn’t over. “We have got to work together to ensure that every marginalized community can enjoy those rights that we’re supposed to enjoy, as we the people in this country.”

That means showing up—not just for parades, but for school board meetings, local elections, and community organizations. It means educating allies about the real threats facing LGBTQ+ rights and calling out performative support that isn’t backed by action. And it means pushing for the Equality Act, a long-stalled federal bill that would cement protections for LGBTQ+ people in housing, education, and public accommodations.

A Call to Action

As we mark this milestone, it’s important to recognize that equality isn’t guaranteed. Rights can be rolled back. Progress can be undone. And the freedom to marry, while momentous, is not the final frontier for LGBTQ+ liberation.

The 10th anniversary of Obergefell is not just a chance to look back, but a call to look forward—with vigilance, with pride, and with purpose. The LGBTQ+ community cannot afford to be complacent.

So this Pride season, let’s celebrate love. Let’s honor resilience. But most importantly, let’s fight like hell to protect what we’ve won—and ensure a future where no one has to beg for basic dignity.

Because Pride is protest. Pride is power. And the next chapter in this story is up to us.