White House hosts thousands for signing of Respect for Marriage Act

President Biden signed the Respect for Marriage Act into law Tuesday afternoon, ensuring the federal protection of same-sex and interracial marriages. Thousands gathered on the South Lawn to mark the significant milestone in the quest for marriage equality.
The White House invited thousands to join the president and other government officials for the celebratory ceremony. The event featured musical guests that performed before Biden's remarks, such as Sam Smith and longtime LGBTQ rights advocate Cyndi Lauper. Invited guests included the co-owner of Club Q, the Colorado LGBTQ club that was attacked by a gunman last month, and two survivors of the mass shooting. The White House also invited plaintiffs from Obergefell v. Hodges, the 2015 landmark Supreme Court case that legalized same-sex marriage nationally, and lawyers who represented the interracial couple at the center of the 1967 Loving v. Virginia case.
The bill signing illuminates how far Biden has come on the issue of equal rights for the LGBTQ community. Biden evolved from voting for the Defense of Marriage Act in 1996 to declaring he was "absolutely comfortable" with same-sex marriages in a 2012 interview while vice president. His remarks on Tuesday reflected Biden's modern-day support for LGBTQ equality.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"My fellow Americans, the road to this moment has been long, but those who believe in equality and justice, you never gave up," Biden told the cheering crowd. "We got it done. We're going to continue the work ahead. I promise you."
The landmark Respect for Marriage Act, a bipartisan effort, passed the Senate last month and the House last week with support from both Democrats and Republicans. The bill was sparked by fears that the Supreme Court would turn its attention to reconsidering marriage equality laws after overturning Roe v. Wade.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Theara Coleman has worked as a staff writer at The Week since September 2022. She frequently writes about technology, education, literature and general news. She was previously a contributing writer and assistant editor at Honeysuckle Magazine, where she covered racial politics and cannabis industry news.
-
The secrets of lab-grown chocolate
Under The Radar Chocolate created 'in a Petri dish' could save crisis-hit industry
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK
-
Trade war with China threatens U.S. economy
Feature Trump's tariff battle with China is hitting U.S. businesses hard and raising fears of a global recession
By The Week US
-
Corruption: The road to crony capitalism
Feature Trump's tariff pause sent the stock market soaring — was it insider trading?
By The Week US
-
Hegseth reportedly shared war plans in 2nd group text
Speed Read The defense secretary sent information about an attack in Yemen to a Signal group chat that included his wife and brother
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Judge threatens Trump team with criminal contempt
Speed Read James Boasberg attempts to hold the White House accountable for disregarding court orders over El Salvador deportation flights
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US
-
A running list of Trump's second-term national security controversies
In Depth Several scandals surrounding national security have rocked the Trump administration
By Justin Klawans, The Week US
-
Biden slams Trump's Social Security cuts
Speed Read In his first major public address since leaving office, Biden criticized the Trump administration's 'damage' and 'destruction'
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
El Salvador refuses to return US deportee
Speed Read President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador said he would not send back the unlawfully deported Kilmar Ábrego García
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Trump says electronics tariff break won't last
Speed Read The tariff exemptions on smartphones, laptops and other electronic devices are temporary, the administration says
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Man charged in arson attack on Pennsylvania's Shapiro
Speed Read Governor Josh Shapiro and his family were sleeping when someone set fire to his Harrisburg mansion
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
White House pushes for oversight of Columbia University
Speed Read The Trump administration is considering placing the school under a consent decree
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US