Respect for Marriage Act clears Congress: IU experts can comment
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — The U.S. House of Representatives gave final approval Thursday to the Respect for Marriage Act — legislation that mandates federal recognition for same-sex marriages. With a bipartisan vote of 258-169, the landmark legislation is on its way to President Joe Biden to be signed into law.
A push to pass federal legislation protecting same-sex marriage came after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe V. Wade in June, and Justice Clarance Thomas suggested that there is no right to privacy enshrined in the U.S. Constitution.
IU experts in constitutional law, LGBTQ rights and public opinion of same-sex marriage are available to comment.
For more information, contact Marah Yankey at mqharbis@iu.edu or 812-856-1442.
Brian Powell
Department of SociologyBrian Powell is the lead author of the book “Counted Out: Same-Sex Relations and Americans’ Definitions of Family,” which documented the transformation in how Americans define family and, in turn, their views regarding same-sex families.
Expertise
Family; same-sex relations; public opinion; policies regarding sexual minorities, e.g., LGBT; interracial marriage; higher education.
Steve Sanders
Maurer School of LawSteve Sanders researches questions arising out of the 14th Amendment’s guarantees of equal protection and due process, with a special focus on issues affecting LGBT people and same-sex couples. He can discuss the Supreme Court case Obergefell v. Hodges and the need for federal legislation to protect same-sex marriage.
Expertise
Constitutional law, U.S. Supreme Court, same-sex marriage, LGBT legal and political issues, equal protection, 14th Amendment, family law.
For the media
Let us help you cover the news. Our media specialists can connect you with faculty experts as well as guide you to the latest IU news.