06-26-2015: The Day The World Turned Rainbow
06-26-2015: The Day The World Turned Rainbow
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A brief history
A brief history
#LoveWins is an online movement that both celebrates and advocates for the LGBTQ+ community in their right to marriage. On June 26th, 2015, the Supreme Court came to a 5-4 decision in Obergefell v. Hodges that “[m]arriage equality became the law of the land and granted same-sex couples in all 50 states the right to full, equal recognition under the law” (HRC.org). This was a landmark case that struck the nation and immediately was taken to social media and other means of communication platforms. As this was a growing call and a long-awaited decision, the phrase #LoveWins began to appear in and on nearly any tweet, post, video, clothing item, etc. that was in support of this decision— reaffirming not just support for the LGBTQ+ community, but to reiterate love whoever and whatever you chose.
Obergefell v. Hodges
Obergefell v. Hodges
This case was driven by several groups of homosexual rooting for recognition who sued their state to challenge the legality of the bans on same-sex marriage that were in place. Each group argued that their corresponding state violated the Equal Protection Clause and Due Process Clause of the 14th amendment; one group even argued it went against the Civil Rights Act.
Reaction to the Supreme Court Decision
Supporters Cheer!
Supporters Cheer!
Love does not discriminate. This video showcases the many cheers and overwhelming emotions of happiness and relief after the Supreme Court voted in favor of same-sex marriage. In the crowd, you can see individuals varying from different ages, races, sexes, identities, and backgrounds— all coming together as one and unifying for the purpose of love. This sense of unification was binded before this decision; as individuals who stood in belief of same-sex marriage found an alliance within one another. However, this decision, while it may seem like a shared celebration through this video, there were certainly individuals who stood very strongly against it. That being said, a space was developed with recognition to this day and these beliefs online— separate from those who do not want to fuel this army of happy soldiers.
The Creation of the Online Space: #LoveWins hashtag community
Unfortunately, something that should be deemed as a civil and basic human right for all individuals: the right to marry, was equally something that the majority of the public had felt should remain illegal. For the longest of times, and even to this day, LGBTQ+ individuals are marginalized people in society; for the sole purpose of who they are attracted to. Our society has built a foundation that dismisses individuals within this community, and in turn, leaves them with nearly no alliances other than their fellow community members. While this landslide of a court decision truly aided in the community building for these individuals, it did not erase the years of hate, discrimination, and belittlement these individuals endured before then, and still endure today. Luckily, social media has aided in the creation of virtual communities and online spaces where individuals who feel silenced, scared, or unheard; can find individuals alike and connect with ease. ZiZi Papacharissi notes that "[t]he most relevant of these requirements (of virtual communities) are engaging in shared rituals, social regulation, and collective action" (Week 6 Reading, Papacharissi). In saying this, the virtual communities bounded by the hashtag of #LoveWins unites individuals who share support to them, and engage in similar practices— whether that be advocacy means, engagement with the hashtag and posts within, or gaining knowledge to better themselves as a member or ally.
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