Gay marriage plaintiff Jim Obergefell
on Monday endorsed Hillary Rodham Clinton for president.
Obergefell, the lead plaintiff in the
Supreme Court case that led to nationwide marriage equality, said in
a statement given to the Washington
Blade that Clinton is the best candidate to continue the
fight for LGBT rights.
“We have fought to not only change
laws, but to change hearts, and now we need a president who will help
us fight to eliminate the injustices that occur regularly in our
community, and the best person to do that is Hillary Clinton,”
Obergefell said. “Hillary is a proven leader who will not only
ensure that states are implementing marriage equality, but will work
to end discrimination in our community whether it's by passing the
Equality Act or through state measures. I refuse to let Republicans
undo the progress that we've made, and that is why we need Hillary
Clinton in the White House because she will be by our side as we
break down barriers and finally reach full equality for all.”
Obergefell challenged Ohio's marriage
ban after state officials refused to recognize his out-of-state
marriage to husband John Arthur, who died battling Lou Gehrig's
disease before the high court handed down its ruling.
Clinton reacted in a statement, saying
that Obergefell's actions had “changed America for the better.”
“There are still too many places
where LGBT Americans are targeted for harassment and violence, and
there are too many young people who are uncertain and scared of what
their future might hold,” Clinton said. “Right now in America,
you can get married on Saturday and be fired from your job on Monday
just because of who you love. I see the injustices that are
happening in our country, and that is why I'm committed to working
with Jim and others to end discrimination against the LGBT community
once and for all.”