Lawyer Michelle Fontenot shares her perspective today as we take down our “Gay and Lesbian Family Law” web page forever. #LoveWins
Today is an historic day and quite frankly, a day I never expected to see. As the tide of public opinion has been turning toward acceptance of gay marriage, I became hopeful that our country would take a stand for me and all gay couples who choose to marry. I wanted to take a moment today to talk from the heart about what this means to me.
Being gay in Seattle is so much safer than being gay in Texas. I moved to Seattle from Austin with my girlfriend over 20 years ago. I have watched significant changes in our communities towards acceptance and love. I came out to my parents and family. I have been loved. I have been lucky. I have worked in places that support me and who I chose to love. But the thing about feeling lucky is what I feel is at the heart of what today’s ruling means. Should gay people feel lucky that the world have become more accepting? We are people – just like you. Shouldn’t we get to live our lives free from discrimination and hatred? Today’s Supreme Court is a sea change. The tide has turned. Same sex families are entitled to equal rights across the county. We don’t have to worry when we travel that we won’t be allowed in hospital rooms if our loved ones become sick. We won’t have to worry about where our companies want us to move and whether that state will respect the family we have created.
I am so happy today to get to live and see this day. I am surrounded by loving co-workers, friends, and family. I have been on the verge of tears of joy and wanted to take a minute to express how impactful this day is to me – as a gay person.
As a family law attorney, this day also changes my work. We no longer will have to think about the patchwork of rights across the country and how to protect our clients. Whole areas of law will no longer be needed. Same sex families will be treated the same as all families. We are all one. I do feel lucky!