The morning of May 20, 2014, and the morning of May 20, 2015 — when this editorial is being written — are two vastly different times.
One year ago, we were all awaiting a ruling on marriage equality in Pennsylvania — which most people assumed would be favorable, yet quickly halted by the Republican governor. At the time, 18 states and Washington, D.C., sanctioned same-sex marriage. We knew change was coming, but we also were collectively resigned to the fact that change can’t happen overnight.
Fast-forward one year later, and change did happen overnight, and many nights after that.
Same-sex marriage has now been legal in the Keystone State for a year. We have a Democratic governor and just nominated a Democratic candidate for mayor who mentioned LGBT equality in his very first campaign commercial. Same-sex marriage is allowed in 37 states and D.C. — and we’re weeks away from a seminal U.S. Supreme Court ruling that could make marriage equality the law of the land across our country.
Logistically, a lot has changed. Same-sex couples can now apply for marriage licenses in every clerk’s office across Pennsylvania. Employer-sponsored insurance, divorces, adoptions, inheritance and real estate tax — countless legal processes were impacted by the ruling.
And perhaps just as important as the tangible changes are the symbolic shifts: the heartening impact of being handed a marriage certificate and a congratulations by the staff at the city clerk’s office; the enthusiasm overflowing the same-sex wedding expos, populated increasingly by non-LGBT vendors; and, nationally, the ease with which a same-sex engagement was featured in a presidential campaign.
With each win comes more promise for progress — a cycle that has seemingly infused our community with hope, and has made our city, state and nation much different, much better places this May 20.
If this past year has been any indication of things to come, we’re looking forward to May 20, 2016.