If the Supreme Court overturns Obergefell v. Hodges, same-sex marriage rights are at risk.
Here’s what that means for wedding photographers and how you can show up for the LGBTQIA+ community.
💬 LISTEN UP
There’s a shift happening and if you’re in the wedding industry, especially as a photographer, it’s time to pay attention.
The right to same sex marriage is under threat.
The 2015 Supreme Court decision Obergefell v. Hodges guaranteed same sex couples the right to marry in every state. It was a landmark case, but that protection is no longer guaranteed.
If this case is overturned, it won’t just impact couples.
It will impact the entire wedding industry and if you’re profiting from queer love without protecting it, this is your wake up call.
📷 Why Wedding Photographers Should Care
We don’t just capture beautiful ceremonies we preserve history.
We’re invited into some of the most sacred, intimate, and joyful moments of people’s lives.
If the government strips queer couples of the right to marry, that’s not just a political issue.
It’s a human rights issue that impacts our clients, our colleagues, and our community.
And if you’re queer like me….it’s personal.
⚖️ What Does It Mean if Obergefell Is Overturned?
If Obergefell v. Hodges is reversed:
- Same-sex marriage could be banned in certain states.
- Spousal rights (tax, healthcare, immigration, property, parenting) may disappear.
- Queer couples could lose access to legal marriage altogether depending on where they live.
This isn’t theoretical. It’s a very real possibility being discussed in legal circles.
And the silence from many in our industry? Deafening.
🤝 Allies, You Can’t Sit This One Out
If you’ve ever profited from a queer couple’s love story….through your photography, florals, coordination, or venue….you have a responsibility to show up.
Allyship isn’t neutral.
You’re either supporting queer rights or you’re staying quiet while those rights are threatened.
Ask yourself:
- Are my values visible on my website and booking forms?
- Do I make space for queer clients to feel seen, safe, and celebrated?
- Am I using my platform to advocate, or just to market?
💡 What You Can Do Right Now
Feeling overwhelmed? Start here:
✅ Educate yourself & your clients. Share accurate, up-to-date info about Obergefell v. Hodges and its potential reversal.
✅ Speak up on your platforms. Use your Instagram, blog, or email list to take a public stand.
✅ Refer and uplift queer vendors. Share the mic.
✅ Donate to orgs fighting for LGBTQIA+ rights. Like Lambda Legal, The Trevor Project, or The ACLU.
✅ Add a clear inclusivity statement to your website. Let people know exactly who you serve and why.
🖤 The Bottom Line
As wedding photographers, we don’t just document love we help define whose love is seen, celebrated, and remembered.
If Obergefell v. Hodges falls, it’s not just a legal issue, t’s a moral one.
Will you stay silent? Or will you stand with your queer clients, friends, and colleagues?
Because love…QUEER love…is worth fighting for.
with love and Rage,
Your Favorite Wedding Photographer
Jess
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