In 1996, the Defense of Marriage Act was signed, defining marriage as a legal union between one man and one woman as husband and wife. In 2015, same-sex marriage was legalized across the entire country, in the supreme court case Obergefell v. Hodges. Throughout the United States, same-sex marriage has been fought for and fought against, it has been banned and unbanned. Currently, LGBTQ rights are expanding, but there is still a long way to go. LGBTQ people are disrespected and harassed, and can feel unsafe in their communities and at school. This is why many schools are supporting these students, and why we have clubs and organizations like the GSA. Recently, the GSA hosted marriage ceremonies on Friday at lunch to show support for the LGBTQ community and to raise money for causes and other organizations that support LGBTQ youth. 

At the central quad at Sequoia on Friday, the Sequoia Gender and Sexuality Alliance club held a booth with the intent of celebrating marriage equality. Members of the club volunteered to run the booth and officiate the marriages between Sequoia students with a fee of $1 per person. The couple were to step into a “garden,” an area decorated with colored streamers over trees, and repeat after the officiant, who said the wedding vows. Afterwards, they would receive rings and valentine-theme chocolates. One of the goals that this had was to raise money for LGBTQ causes. One of these causes is Outlet, which has programs to help LGBTQ youth. They have centers like Sequoia’s Teen Resource Center, but specifically for LGBTQ youth with counseling and other help available. In addition, the proceeds went to funding a drag show by GSA , which will take place in the coming weeks.