Dana Nessel, Michigan's Attorney General, delivered a passionate speech at the Democratic National Convention, issuing a stark warning to conservative Supreme Court Justices who might consider revisiting same-sex marriage protections.
As reported by the Daily Mail, Nessel, who is openly lesbian, borrowed a phrase from actor Charlton Heston to emphasize her point, stating that anyone attempting to deny her right to marriage would have to "pry this wedding band from my cold, dead, gay hand."
In her address, Nessel also praised Vice President Kamala Harris for her actions as California's attorney general, particularly her refusal to defend the state's ban on same-sex marriage in court. Nessel emphasized the significance of Harris's stance, stating that it meant a great deal to families like her own.
Nessel's involvement in the fight for marriage equality extends beyond her role as Attorney General. She played a crucial role in overturning Michigan's gay marriage ban through a civil case. This legal victory paved the way for her own marriage to Alanna Maguire in 2015, shortly after the ban was struck down.
The Attorney General drew parallels between the California same-sex marriage ban and the recent Supreme Court decision that revoked constitutional protections for abortion rights. She highlighted how Harris supported her when Michigan's archaic abortion ban was temporarily reinstated following the overturning of Roe v. Wade.
Nessel's comments reflect the ongoing concerns within the LGBTQ+ community about the security of their rights, particularly in light of the current conservative majority on the Supreme Court.
The current makeup of the Supreme Court, with its 6-3 conservative majority, has raised concerns among LGBTQ+ rights advocates. Three of the justices were nominated by former President Donald Trump, solidifying the court's conservative lean.
Of particular concern to some is Justice Clarence Thomas, who has previously written about potentially revisiting and overriding the same-sex marriage decision. This stance has alarmed LGBTQ+ advocates, with Sarah Kate Ellis of GLAAD describing it as a "blaring red alert for the LGBTQ community."
Nessel stated:
We know when [Kamala] takes an oath to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution, she's actually read it. Kamala knows you go from the court house to the White House, not the other way around.
This comment was reportedly a jab at Republican nominee Donald Trump, alluding to his ongoing legal battles and recent conviction in a hush-money case.
Nessel's provocative statement about her wedding band was a deliberate reference to a famous quote by Charlton Heston, the former president of the National Rifle Association (NRA). At the 2000 NRA Convention, just a year after the Columbine mass shooting, Heston declared that Democrats would have to pry his rifle from his "cold, dead hands."
By co-opting this rhetoric, Nessel drew a parallel between the passionate defense of gun rights and her own equally fervent protection of marriage equality. This linguistic callback served to underscore the intensity of her commitment to LGBTQ+ rights.
In conclusion, Dana Nessel's speech at the Democratic National Convention highlighted the ongoing concerns about the future of same-sex marriage rights in the United States. Her warning to conservative Supreme Court Justices and her praise for Vice President Kamala Harris underscored the Democratic Party's stance on LGBTQ+ issues. As the political and legal landscape continues to evolve, Nessel's words serve as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for equality and the determination of those fighting to maintain hard-won rights.
