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President Joe Biden signs Respect for Marriage Act

President Joe Biden signs the Respect for Marriage bill into law during a ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington on Tuesday. Photo by Yuri Gripas/UPI
1 of 8 | President Joe Biden signs the Respect for Marriage bill into law during a ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington on Tuesday. Photo by Yuri Gripas/UPI | License Photo

Dec. 13 (UPI) -- President Joe Biden signed a historic piece of legislation into law Tuesday afternoon, codifying marriage rights for interracial and same-sex couples.

The Respect for Marriage Act reached the president's desk for his signature in a historic moment that codifies the right to marry a partner regardless of sex or race. It passed the House of Representatives on Thursday by a 258-169 vote. The Senate approved the bill 61-36.

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"Today is a good day. A day America takes a vital step toward equality," Biden said at the signing ceremony on the South Lawn. "Toward liberty and justice not just for some, but for everyone."

The new law requires the federal government and all state governments to recognize marriages that were lawfully entered into in a state in which they are legal. It also solidifies protections for interracial couples nationwide.

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"The road to this moment has been long. So many of you put your relationships on the line, your jobs on the line, your lives on the line to fight for the law I'm about to sign," the president said before affixing his signature.

The bill repeals the Defense of Marriage Act, which was passed in 1996. That act recognized marriage as "only a legal union between one man and one woman as husband and wife" and defines a spouse only as a person "of the opposite sex."

Biden lauded the efforts of a coalition of Democrats and Republicans in Congress, as well as those of advocates and lawmakers across the country that continued to press the issue. His mention of work done by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., evoked a round of applause.

"Today is a historic day. A day for jubilation," said Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. "By enacting this law we are sending a message to LGBTQ Americans everywhere. You too deserve dignity. You too deserve equality. That's about as an American ideal as they come."

Club Q founder Matthew Haynes and two survivors of the shooting at the LGBTQ nightclub in Colorado were among those who attended.

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Biden noted that the Supreme Court's decision in Dobbs vs. Jackson Women's Health Organization, which overturned Roe vs. Wade, was a crucial factor in pushing Congress to codify marriage rights.

"Congress is acting because an extreme Supreme Court is stripping away a right that has existed half a century," Biden said.

Biden specifically mentioned the opinion of Justice Clarence Thomas, who wrote that other Supreme Court decisions should be reconsidered, including marriage rights.

Before Vice President Kamala Harris introduced the president, she recalled presiding over the nation's first same-sex marriage in 2004.

"I saw tears of joy that day as people celebrated basic human rights. The right to be recognized as a family," she said.

Harris thanked all of the advocates for LGBTQI+ rights for making their voices heard over the years.

"And because you made your voices heard marriages are more secure and Joe Biden is our president," she said to applause. "A president who elevated LGBTQI+ leaders to every level of our administration. Who fights for the safety and freedom and dignity of all people."

A celebration was held on the South Lawn, with musical guests and performances. Singer-songwriter Joy Oladokun opened the ceremony with a performance of her song, "Sunday," which she wrote before coming out.

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White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was joined at Tuesday's press briefing by pop legend Cyndi Lauper before ceremony. Lauper performed her song, "True Colors" during the celebration.

"For once our families, mine and a lot of my friends and people you know, sometimes your neighbors, we can rest easy tonight because our families are validated," Lauper said. "Americans can now love who we love."

Lauper has long been an advocate for the rights of the LGBTQ community.

"This time love wins," she said after her performance.

House speaker Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said the legislation would not have been possible without advocacy.

"You all made this happen," she said. "I was overwhelmed with emotion when bringing down the gavel on this issue."

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