Obergefell, Jim

Obergefell v. Hodges was a landmark Supreme Court case decided in 2015 that legalized same-sex marriage across the United States. Jim Obergefell, the lead plaintiff, sued the state of Ohio for refusing to recognize his marriage to his partner, John Arthur, who had passed away. The Court ruled that same-sex marriage is a constitutional right under the 14th Amendment, affirming that states cannot deny marriage licenses based on sexual orientation. This decision was pivotal in advancing LGBTQ+ rights and ensuring equality in marriage for all Americans, regardless of sexual orientation.