LGBT community reacts to SCOTUS gay marriage case

The Supreme Court is now hearing a potentially landmark case on gay marriage, Obergefell vs. Hodges, a case originating in Ohio.

People surrounded the television at the Equality California office in downtown Palm Springs Tuesday, listening closely to the arguments made in the high court. For them, marriage equality is a transgender equality issue.

“This is why we’re here, that is an engagement ring. We, as transgender people, not only get married, but by a lot of folks we are considered gay, we are gay, but there are some transgender people who are straight,” said Jennifer Taylor, of Palm Springs.

Shelli Orion, organizer of the Trans Community Project, considers herself a gay transgender woman, but she dates men and women.

“Many trans people are considered of same sex in a lot of states. You can go across state lines and not be protected. This is really important for me because this is also my equality,” said Orion.

While Taylor and her fiance, Candice Sweet, enjoy the right to get married, they want marriage equality for all.

“We want to do is that across the country, places like Alabama or Georgia, where you cannot be married as a gay couple. We want to say as Californians we support you.”

As the group listened to arguments in the supreme court hearing, George Zander of Equality California said he’s optimistic and there’s a lot to look forward to.

“Some of us who have been around for this movement for many decades are seeing this as the beginning of actually having marriage equality for everyone. How it’s going to turn out we never know. Now we have to wait.”

Equality California plans to host an equality rally in June, when it expects a ruling on the case.