The Southern Baptist Convention has taken a strong stance against same-sex marriage, representing more than 12 million believers in the U.S., by calling for the reversal of Obergefell v. Hodges, the 2015 Supreme Court ruling that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide.
Call for Reversal of Same-Sex Marriage Ruling
During the group’s annual meeting in Dallas, Texas, over 10,000 church delegates voted in favor of a resolution asking for the overturning of “laws and court rulings… that defy God’s design for marriage and family.” Although the word “ban” was not directly used, the resolution supports laws defining marriage as a union between one man and one woman.
Andrew Walker, a seminary ethicist who authored the resolution, said, “What we’re trying to do is keep the conversation alive.”
The resolution holds no legal weight but reflects the beliefs of a powerful conservative Christian voting bloc. Political experts say the Southern Baptists’ position aligns more than ever with the Christian right, which has grown stronger under former President Donald Trump.
Evangelicals Eye Long-Term Strategy Like Roe v Wade
Trump-era court changes could open door for same-sex marriage rollback.
Although a reversal of Obergefell wouldn’t immediately outlaw same-sex marriage, since 36 states had already legalized it before the 2015 decision, LGBTQ+ advocates fear the resolution sends a troubling message. Roughly 70% of Americans still support same-sex marriage, according to recent polls.
Kristin Du Mez, a religion and politics expert at Calvin University, noted that evangelicals are using a familiar approach. “I know some of the leaders have pointed to Roe v Wade as a model of the need to play the long game,” she said.
She also pointed out a “transactional element” in evangelicals’ support for Trump, crediting his Supreme Court picks for helping overturn Roe v Wade in 2022. Trump’s second term has focused on dismantling diversity and LGBTQ protections, including banning transgender people from the military and revoking anti-discrimination policies.
Laurel Powell from the Human Rights Campaign responded, “This is a very visible example of how attacks on the LGBTQ+ community as a whole have intensified… We will never stop fighting to love who we love and be who we are.”
