After years of struggling, gay marriage was finally legalized in 2015. However, after only seven short years, Obergefell v. Hodges has a chance of being overturned. Following the Republican party’s attack on abortion and contreceptives, there is now a fear that the Supreme Court may move to eliminate gay and interracial marriage next.

The recent illegalization of abortion has many stressed for the future. Homphobic prejudice creates anxiety and can be unhealthy for gay people. According to Healthline.com, homophobia puts queer people around the world in a state of panic and fear, which can result in physical health risks including cardiovascular disease and increased levels of cortisol, a stress hormone. This makes quite a large portion of citizens in the U.S. more susceptible to things like suicide, especially since many young queer people have already considered, if not, attempted suicide. Queer youth are four times more likely to consider or attempt suicide, according to the Trevor Project.

“I think suicide rates would probably skyrocket (if Obergefell v. Hodges was overturned) because people just want to feel loved, and a way people do that is getting married,” said Ryn Montondo, 10.

Approximately 30 states would undergo drastic changes to their gay marriage laws if Obergefell v. Hodges was rebuked. This is largely due to an overwhelming Republican population in more rural states. If the law gets repealed, most of the U.S. will revert back to old laws on gay and interracial marriage.

Although many people use religious grounds to justify their homophobic prejudices, the foundation of these arguments is unsound. Many passages in the Bible, a text often referenced in religious discussions about homosexuality, are mistranslated and outdated. Passages are often cherry-picked or twisted to make  a point and support the idea that because the Bible says it, it’s okay to be homophobic. 

“Marriage between a man and a woman was established by God, and no earthly court can alter that,” said Bobby Jindal, former governor of Louisiana.

However, according to Horizon Westmont, researchers on the other end of the debate have found evidence that the ¨homophobic¨ verses in the Bible are actually targeting other cultural practices during the time, such as gang rape and pederasty, not homosexuality. Regardless of whether or not the Bible actually condemns homosexuality, that is not reason enough to deny a large portion of people their basic human rights.

“I think gay marriage should be legal because so many people have fought for their right to love,” said Alexis Sherrets, 9. “To lose it would make the fight for nothing.”