Jim Obergefell

An Ohio love story and the tragedy that changed history

As the US Senate was passing the Respect for Marriage Act, I was talking to Jim Obergefell, from the Obergefell v Hodges. A historic civil rights case in which the United States Supreme Court ruled that the fundamental right to marry is guaranteed to same-sex couples by the Due Process Clause and the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution. Mr. Obergefell made history by changing the lives of hundreds of thousands across the nation and inspiring millions around the world.

A. Can I call you Jim?

J. I prefer to be called Jim. Mr. Obergefell feels like that’s my father.

A. Is it German?

J. It is German, yes.

A. Tell me about your family.

J. As far back as I’ve been able to go, my great-great-grandfather, Joseph Obergefell, came to the United States, to Sandusky, Ohio, in 1852. My mom’s family has been in the States much longer.

A. How long have you been living out here?

J. Well, I was born and raised here in Sandusky. When I finished high school, I moved to Cincinnati, where I fell in love with John and stayed for 30 years. After the Supreme Court decision, I left Cincinnati for Washington, D.C., for three years, but I missed my family, so I moved back home to Sandusky to be close to them.

A. John. Tell me about John

J. John was an amazingly charming, witty man. He was a big part of my life for almost 21 years. John and I wanted to get married early on, but we realized that it was the mid-nineties, and there was no place in the US where we could legally get married. Things started changing, but 

THIS IS A SAMPLE FROM THE INTERVIEW WITH JIM OBERGEFELL

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