When Love Wins

Millions of Americans took a collective sigh of relief on Tuesday. The signing of H.R. 8404, the Respect for Marriage Act, by President Joe Biden removed the looming threat to everyone having the right to marry who you love and the benefits and rights provided inside of marriage. Protection of rights for families have been preserved and expanded beyond the state where your marriage is performed. 

It is difficult to express how many barriers exist to equitable treatment for LGBTQ+ individuals and couples. Practical rights and access to benefits like FMLA, medical decision making, bereavement pay, fertility services, childcare, health services and more continues to be accessible by everyone. The weight of worrying your rights will be taken away or reduced has been lifted. 

This bill is personal. 

A note from Joey Rosenberg, President, Product & Communications at Women Who Code:

Today, I am married and a mother. I have been able to build a family. It includes my wife, our daughter, and my chosen and given family. 

However, the world is not set up for us. 

I married my wife in Massachusetts 17 years ago when it was the only state in the US to perform and recognize same sex marriages. I lived in Georgia, where I couldn’t marry my partner. We did have one heck of a celebration back in Atlanta.  

When I said ‘I do,’ I thought it was an act of love, and an act of protest. I was surprised to discover just how much of society functions based on marriage law. It’s wrapped up in my driver’s license, social security card, taxes, student loans, college applications, job applications, medical care, health insurance, and the ability to access services for my child. It’s even wrapped up in how people interact with you every day – at the neighborhood park or grocery store. 

This bill offers one more powerful tool to help combat the bias that we face every day. 

As a community, we are powerful.

We have the ability to create the culture we want within our community. Women Who Code promises to be a safe space for LGBTQ+ members and their families. Love won!