Lee accepts LGBTQ award, predicts Senate passage of same-sex marriage bill

Those worried that the right to same-sex marriage could soon be erased after the Supreme Court this summer overturned the right to abortion might be breathing a sigh of relief this time next month.

At least that the hope for Nevada Democratic U.S. Rep. Susie Lee.

Speaking to the LGBTQ community and allies last week at an awards ceremony for Silver State Equality — the state’s largest LGBTQ civil rights advocacy group — the second-term congresswoman said a bill that would codify same-sex marriage protections federally will likely have the votes the U.S. Senate, possibly by the end of September.

The House of Representatives passed the measure July 19, 267-157, with 47 Republicans joining the Democratic majority. In the Senate, the bill would need at least 10 Republicans to support it to bypass a filibuster, presuming the chamber’s 50 Democrats vote in favor.

Lee received the Ally Leadership Award at the event for her work in the House Equality Caucus, which includes co-sponsoring pro-LGBTQ legislation, as well as her insistence to meet quarterly with LGBTQ advocates, said André C. Wade, the director of Silver State Equality.

“We expect it will be passed in the U.S. Senate before the end of the month,” Lee said of the bill, which would recognize marriage between two spouses and recognize any marriage valid under state law.

“Let’s think about how incredible and how much blood, sweat and tears has gone into this. It’s not done yet, and trust me, it’s going to be a hard lift before it gets done”

That’s in line with Senate Majority leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said Wednesday, signaling that the upper chamber would vote on the Respect for Marriage Act in the coming weeks.

Schumer said Democrats felt an urgent need to pass measures that would codify same-sex and interracial marriage after the Supreme Court in June ruled to fully overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade decision, which for nearly 50 years guaranteed the constitutional right to access abortion.

The high court issued a ruling in 2013 effectively legalized gay marriage across the U.S., but fears that precedent could be overturned have grown increasing louder after Justice Clarence Thomas in a concurrent opinion overruling Roe argued that athe court — with a 6-3 conservative majority — “should reconsider” past rulings on same-sex marriage, same-sex relationships and access to contraceptives.

Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak was also at the Silver State Awards to introduce Lee before she accepted her award. He argued having pro-LGBTQ delegate was essential to protecting that community’s civil rights.

“Now that basic human rights are under attack at the national level, it is more important than ever to elect leaders up and down the ballot who are committed to protecting our fundamental freedoms,” Sisolak said. “The Supreme Court already came after abortion, and you better believe that they’re not going to stop there.”

Aside from passing legislation that advances LGBTQ rights, it’s important to have elected officials that are allies to show troubled queer and transgender youth simply have the right to exist, said Daniel Corona. He severed as mayor of the Elko County border town of West Wendover for six years before resigning to take a private sector job in August. Corona was the rural town’s first LGBTQ and Latino mayor.

Corona came out as gay when he was 16, and told attendees at the awards event that he battled for a long time with mental health and self harm because he was unsure for a long time he even had the right to exist.

“Representation matters,” Corona said. “If I would have had one elected official who wasn’t afraid to stand up and say, ‘Yes, gay people are people too. They’re regular humans, and we need to celebrate them as such,’ I probably wouldn’t have had those dark days that I had.”

In addition to the Respect for Marriage Act, Lee told the Sun she was hoping the Senate also would pass the Equality Act, which prohibits discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, gender identity in public facilities, education, employment, housing and credit, among other things. That bill passed the House in February 2021.

“I think this is an essential human rights issue and making sure that people have protections against discrimination in housing, employment, any core aspects of life,” Lee said. “I’ve long been a champion for equality, and this is something that is a top priority for me and will continue to be.”

Votes on the bills have not yet been scheduled in the Senate.

[email protected] / (702) 990-2681 / Casey_Harrison1