Today, in the hallowed halls of the U.S. Supreme Court, history was made. After decades of work by activists, lobbyists, and everyday folks marching in the streets or simply talking to family members, it is now illegal to fire someone because of their real or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity.

Human Rights Campaign president Alphonso David said this decision is a "landmark victory for LGBTQ equality."

Supreme Court analyst and University of Texas law professor, Steve Vladeck said, "Today's decision is one of the court's most significant rulings ever with respect to the civil rights of gay and transgender individuals. On its terms, the decision is only about discrimination in the workplace, but it inevitably opens the door to a host of other challenges to discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or transgender status on the ground that it, too, is impermissible based upon sex. In that respect, only the court's 2015 ruling recognizing a constitutional right to same-sex marriage may be equally as significant."

Currently, we are facing so many adversities and challenges to human rights: the imperiled lives of Black Americans, the coronavirus, and growing anxieties over the looming election season. So while there remains much work to be done, today is a day to truly pause and celebrate. This ruling represents a tidal shift in the way America recognizes the inherent dignity of trans* and queer people of all types. In the 51 years since Stonewall, we have come out and proven our worth. Today, the Supreme Court honors what God always knew...what MCC has always taught...that every part of the rainbow, LGBTQIA+, is beloved, precious, and a part of the image of God that we call humanity.

Today, we celebrate. Tomorrow, we keep working to ensure that every life, especially Black Lives, are held and treated as sacred.