Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett confirmed her belief that marriage equality has resulted in “very concrete reliance interests” that make it unlikely to be overturned.
In a conversation with the New York Times’ Ross Douthat, Barrett defined reliance interests as “things that would be upset or undone if a decision is undone.”
Douthat asked if Obergefell v. Hodges created “social reliance interests in the sense of people making life choices on the basis of a right being protected.”
Coney Barrett said yes, but emphasized the reliance interests in this case are even more significant than Douthat made it seem by calling them social interests.
“That kind of sounds like in things in the air. Those are very concrete reliance interests,” she said. “So those would be classic reliance interests in the terms of the law, in terms of legal doctrine… Those are financial. Those are medical.”
Earlier in the conversation, Coney Barrett explained that the decision to overturn precedent “is never just is this decision right or wrong.”
“Because if a decision is wrong, then you have to decide whether you should keep it for many of the reasons you say, stability, reliance, interests, et cetera.”
She also pushed back against the idea that the Court frequently overturns precedent, saying that data she asked her law clerks to collect shows that under current Chief Justice John Roberts, the Court has overturned precedent about one time per year. Under former Chief Justices William Rehnquist and Warren Burger, it was closer to two and a half or three times per year.
“So the Court takes precedent quite seriously, and the Court really does not overturn precedent all the time,” she said.
Folks have worried about marriage equality since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. After that decision, Justice Clarence Thomas argued that the same legal reasoning could also be used to overturn marriage equality.
Anti-LGBTQ+ Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito has also been outspoken about his hatred of the Obergefell decision, though he recently claimed the precedent set by the court’s ruling is “entitled to respect.”
In another recent interview, former Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy, who wrote the landmark opinion legalizing marriage equality nationwide, also cited reliance while explaining that he doesn’t think the decision is in any danger of being overturned.
“A large part of the reasoning in the opinion, and the background of the opinion, was that I had not known how many children were adopted by [LGBTQ+] parents,” he told CNN in a recent interview. “At first, I thought there were 75,000 children or so. It’s in the hundreds of thousands.”
These families, he said, now have a “substantial reliance” on the Obergefell v. Hodges decision, which has granted them stability. If the decision were overturned, Kennedy said it “would be a tremendous reliance problem.”
In the Obergefell opinion, Kennedy outlined the costs of not allowing couples with children to legally marry: “Without the recognition, stability, and predictability marriage offers, their children suffer the stigma of knowing their families are somehow lesser. They also suffer the significant material costs of being raised by unmarried parents, relegated through no fault of their own to a more difficult and uncertain family life.”
He wrote that the fact that so many children are already being raised in queer households “provides powerful confirmation from the law itself that gays and lesbians can create loving, supportive families.”
Many have been especially worried about Obergefell since the infamous former county clerk Kim Davis recently petitioned the Supreme Court to take her case, which argues that people should be able to refuse recognition of same-sex marriages based on religious beliefs.
Anti-LGBTQ+ advocates hope Davis’ case could be the one to lead the justices to overturn marriage equality. But LGBTQ+ legal experts believe her case is too weak and that it’s far more likely that the court will use free speech and religious freedom claims to roll back queer civil rights.
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What we must call out as a blatantly racist reposting on his so-called Truth Social (which is never true and certainly not social) posting, the current president of the United States, Donald Trump, uploaded an AI generated video depicting both former President Barack Obama and former First Woman Michelle Obama as very hairy dark brown monkeys donning wide smiles while standing in a tropical jungle.
If any high governmental official had ever posted something even hinting at this type of utter disrespect for a former president, their careers in politics would be in serious jeopardy at best. In all likelihood, their political careers would be over.
For example, during his reelection campaign rally in Breaks, Virginia, in 2006, Sen. George Allen told the crowd while referring to a 20-year-old U.S.-born college student of Indian heritage who was filming the event, “Let’s give a welcome to macaca, here,” followed by, “Welcome to America and the real world of Virginia.”
The term “macaca” is commonly considered a slur, particularly among people from North Africa, where it refers to a type of monkey. After suffering from a voters’ backlash, Allen lost his reelection bid to his challenger, Jim Webb.
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For some reason, Trump seems never to suffer the consequences from his offensive attacks on groups he has “othered”: people of color, women and girls, LGBTQ+ people, Muslims, Jews, atheists, immigrants both undocumented and documented, entire countries, and so many others that the list is virtually endless.
Trump, usually known for charging exorbitant prices to reside at his properties, has apparently given Barack Obama a special no-cost deal to inhabit his head. One does not have to have a doctorate degree in psychiatry, however, to understand that Trump thinks and talks most about people he feels threatened by and possibly unconsciously even admires. His jealousy comes out as attacks.
In a 2025 post, Trump showed an AI-generated video of Barack Obama being arrested by FBI agents in the Oval Office as Trump looked on with a wide grin on his face. The video then changes scenes with Obama behind bars wearing a bright orange jumpsuit.
Could this video actually represent Trump’s nightmare of what is likely to happen to him once he leaves office and no longer has the judicial shield of the presidency to evade prosecution once again?
So, why might Trump feel threatened and jealous of Obama? Oh, let me begin to count the ways. The juxtaposition cannot be starker from A to Z, for a chasm the size of the ever-expanding universe would not fill the gap between Presidents Obama and Trump. While Obama certainly manifests many flaws, these pale when placed side-by-side with Trump.
Obama alerted the world to the threats and dangers of “crude nationalism” and “white supremacy” presented in the guise of “popularism,” which feeds on people’s fears and prejudices, resulting in the separation of people and nations from one another. Trump has empowered a Christian white supremacist movement by instigating panics of “the other” in the electorate.
Obama embodies an audacity of hope for a better, more inclusive country and world, one that comes closer to fulfilling our founding goal of ensuring liberty and justice for all, one that cherishes our diversity while truly exemplifying E Pluribus Unum. Trump’s methodology centers on dividing and conquering diverse groups to compete with one another for the limited and ever-diminishing crumbs of power and wealth as if it were a no-sum game.
Obama exemplifies a brilliance of intellect that guides his every decision and filters the noise and distraction in the cacophony of voices around him. “No Drama Obama” was followed by “All Drama All the Time” Trump, who is ruled not by intellect, but rather by impulse.
Very apparent throughout Obama’s life has been his personal charm that often disarms even his most ardent skeptics once in his presence. Trump, on the other hand, has no charm since his modus is to metaphorically lift his fists ready for a fight as any bully would.
Obama shows a deep commitment to his most important priority, his family, by never allowing his work to cloud his connections with his loved ones. While Trump certainly seems to love his family, his womanizing and engorged libido, plus his overarching quest for increasing power and treasure, place his familial relationships in constant jeopardy.
Obama is dedicated to protecting the environment by working to save and sustain the Earth for current generations and those yet to come. Trump has no use for environmental regulations and has reversed most handed down by his predecessors. Trump is dedicated only to corporations and to profits – especially his own.
Obama manifests a dignity in how he expresses and carries himself, even when others do not reciprocate in kind. Trump is as dignified and refined as a kick boxer fighting a combatant to the death in a toxic, oily swamp.
Obama has genuine empathy in reaching out to the marginalized, dispossessed, and scapegoated among us, and in attempting to bring them into the center of our society. Trump tramples on the bodies of the oppressed as his stepping stones to personal success and security.
While Obama suffered the headwinds of a Republican Congress, he showed fortitude in the onslaught of obstructionism cascading like torrents across an ever-widening aisle. Though Trump could coast in the tailwinds of a Republican Congress and Supreme Court in advancing his agenda, by posting and spouting his mouth about extraneous pettiness, he impedes his own presidency.
Obama, in his gentleness, is redefining masculinity in a world and a nation of increasing toxic hyper-masculinity manifested by the likes of Trump.
Obama consistently shows grace under tremendous pressure from those who have attempted to bring him down since the beginning of his tenure, and in the face of an incessant barrage of criticism and attacks on his humanity and his qualifications to hold the highest office in the land. Trump, on the other hand, shows only attack and rudeness while containing virtually no qualifications – in neither background nor temperament – for the office.
Obama exhibited heroism in never giving up, even in tough times, when the hill he chose to climb appeared far in the distance – for example, affordable health care. Trump’s hills change from moment to moment, as does his attention. His administration, while few, has scored some “successes” – three additional right-wing Supreme Court Justices, numerous judges in lower courts, plus massive tax reductions for the rich.
Obama has the gift of humor, a tendency never to take himself too seriously, a sense of roasting himself when occasion calls for it, and the ability to apologize when he makes a mistake, while never gloating on his successes to a fault. Trump lacks and doesn’t understand humor, does not have the words “I’m sorry” in his mind’s library, and takes credit for his successes as well as those for which he was not involved.
Through the trials of politics, Obama has maintained his integrity by never willingly sacrificing in exchange for mere material or political rewards. Trump shows as much integrity as a thief who robbed the poor of their meager savings.
Obama exhibits firm judgment honed by experience and perspective by keeping forever on course and attentive, preventing him from swerving into potentially dangerous political terrain. Trump operates on transactional impulses, which are usually misguided, self-serving, and potentially dangerous to himself, his family, the nation, and the community of nations.
Obama reveals a kindness that comes forth in his treatment of the people he meets, especially when he is in the company of the youngest among us. Trump sucks up the energy and oxygen wherever he ventures, leaving only a bottomless and insecure narcissistic desperation to be seen and heard.
Obama displays a love for people, love for a country that has not yet lived up to its potential, love of service, love of progressive advancement, and evident love for life itself. Trump loves money and maybe himself, and promotion of the promise of a mythological retro-era where white picket fences enclose all-white cookie-cutter neighborhoods; were rugged individualism stands supreme over a strong sense of community, and the easy ownership and carrying of limitless firearms is understood as an undeniable right and as a litmus test for the realization of freedom and liberty.
Obama is a true mensch (Yiddish, “a person of integrity and honor”), the qualities that have secured his place in that pantheon of “the good.” Trump has positioned himself as far away from the essential qualities of a mensch as one possibly can.
Obama reveals a mindfulness in concentration, focus, study, and understanding of self, and an ability to “be here now” at the moment. Trump lives in his anger and paranoia in his own head, and he is nowhere close to obtaining self-knowledge or understanding of the responsibilities and details in his occupancy of the Oval Office.
Obama displays a nobility, a graciousness and sense of decency, that virtually indefinable quality emanating from deep within. Trump doesn’t even know how to spell “noble,” let alone reveal it.
Obama demonstrates oratory precision by presenting a clear and sustained message and by mobilizing his enthusiastic supporters to rally beside him. Trump seems unable to complete a full sentence while constantly bouncing from topic to topic and always landing back on himself.
Obama is patient in seeing the big picture and in continuing the course in reaching goals, even when others deposit giant boulders to block his way. He understands that change takes time, often comes in fits and starts, and sometimes retrenches backward before advancing again. Trump has the attention span of a gnat, and he throws a temper tantrum when he can’t have his way.
Obama is pragmatic and understands when compromise is required in his efforts to unite the disparate states and different factions of the fractured United States of America. Trump is dogmatic and defines compromise as retreat and failure.
Obama displays pride in his multiple identities and in serving as a positive and constructive role model to others who may have never imagined reaching the pinnacle of their potential. Trump has barely a clue who he is, and functions as a negative role model of aggressiveness and bullying – what has come to be known as “The Trump Effect.”
Obama grounds himself upon an essential set of principles, which he never sacrifices for the sake of mere expediency or popularity. Trump changes principles like a chameleon changes colors depending on whom he is talking to at any particular moment.
Obama shows a quick wit that often delights his supporters and challenges his detractors to raise the level of discourse ever higher. Trump only lowers himself and the nation he fails to serve each time he utters or posts his half-intelligible words.
Obama has genuine respect for other nations, and by so doing, he brought back respect for our country and for the office of the presidency from people and leaders worldwide. Trump, by destroying alliances, attacking former allies, and breaking agreements and treaty obligations, has brought shame and distrust to our nation.
Obama was steadfast in diplomatic negotiations in conflict resolution, whenever and wherever possible, rather than resorting to the raising of arms. Trump’s first inclination is to verbally attack, name-call, and threaten, thereby inflaming rather than resolving conflict.
Obama has the temperament, one of the most, or possibly the most, crucially important qualities in functioning effectively and responsibly in the highest and most critical position in our country. Trump’s temperament and character flaws place our planet in serious danger.
Obama understood the full enormity of the awesome responsibilities he inherited upon election, responsibilities he never shirked, relegated, or denied. To say that Trump hasn’t a clue about the responsibilities of his public office would be a gross understatement.
Obama’s high values serve as the foundation of his beliefs, actions, interactions, responses, and initiatives. Trump values only wealth, power, and control over others while never comprehending the meaning of “public service.”
Obama has a vision of the true potential of the United States in ultimately attaining the end goals in this great experiment in democracy. Trump has a vision how his role as president will bring more people to buy his merchandise and buy his real estate properties to enhance his bank accounts.
Obama shows a warmth and a willingness to listen and truly hear others’ opinions in carefully weighing numerous options before coming to a final decision. Trump doesn’t need others since he believes that “Only I can do it.”
Obama shows us his sense of xenophilia – a love of difference, of the “foreigner” – amid conditions where some political leaders like Trump and other would-be leaders promote xenophobia to divide and conquer by exciting fear of the “other” in their quest for power.
Obama has maintained a youthfulness in his boundless exuberance and optimism, especially when the going was difficult in repairing a ruptured economy and bringing peace to an endangered world. “Youthfulness” is far different from what Sen. Bob Corker, Republican chair of the Foreign Relations Committee, charged when he called the White House in 2017 “an adult day care center” after Trump attacked him on Twitter.
And through it all, Obama maintained a zest for life and for serving his country and the planet during his eight years in the White House, amid the ups and downs of world and domestic events on this roller coaster called “politics.” Trump has a zest for cozying up to brutal autocrats and for grabbing women.
No, Barack Obama was certainly not a perfect president, but he was definitely one of the very best!
Trump only looks smaller, meaner, and pettier whenever he attacks Barack Obama and any other of his self-acknowledged “enemies.” He brings shame not only to himself, but also to how others throughout the world see our country.
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Police in Portland, Oregon, arrested 51-year-old William Thomas Ashley for allegedly attacking a transgender woman at a light rail station last Sunday after making transphobic and racist comments.
Ashley allegedly approached the woman aggressively, called her “a man,” then grabbed her umbrella, and hit her with it several times, KPTV reported. He then allegedly grabbed her by the hair, pulling her to the ground and punching her while screaming, “You don’t belong in my country!”
Security video from the light rail station showed Ashley trying to stab the woman. However, she used her bag to block the assault. When police arrived, they found the woman “bleeding profusely” from her knees and transported her to a local hospital.
Police officers approached Ashley, and he allegedly headbutted and kicked one officer, and then used an anti-Asian slur. Even after the police arrested Ashley and put him in the back of a patrol car, he allegedly repeatedly called an officer the n-word and spat at him through the partition.
Ashley underwent a February 9 court hearing and now faces charges of first-degree bias crime, attempted second-degree assault, unlawful use of a weapon, fourth-degree assault, aggravated harassment, attempted assault on a public safety officer, and interfering with public transportation.
“We see Portland as a really trans-friendly town,” said Mikki Gillette, a trans woman who works at the LGBTQ+ advocacy group Basic Rights Oregon. “We try to make Oregon the best place in the country for queer and trans people, so when something like this, which seems deliberately hateful against the trans community, happens, it’s really frightening.”
Oregon reported 11 hate crimes against trans people in 2023, a slight decrease from the 14 reported in 2022 and the 13 reported in 2021, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ). It’s unlikely that the DOJ will continue reporting hate crime incidents against trans people in the near future, as the president has issued an executive order instructing the federal government to no longer recognize the existence of trans people.
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