The Southern Baptist Convention has voted overwhelmingly in favor of a resolution that calls for overturning Obergefell v. Hodges, the landmark Supreme Court ruling which legalized gay marriage nationwide ten years ago.
As the nation’s largest Protestant denomination, the Southern Baptists' yearly meeting is often used as a means to take the pulse of the evangelical community at-large on social and political issues.
What Does the Vote Mean?
A formal rejection of same-sex marriage by members of the SBC shows a renewed willingness by the evangelical community to challenge marriage equality in court, something they’ve been hesitant to do in the ten years since the Obergefell ruling.
Some see the vote as an opening salvo in a broader campaign to overturn same-sex marriage at the federal level.
Is same-sex marriage at risk?
What the Resolution Says
Resolutions in years past declared marriage as only between one man and one woman, but this year’s takes things a step further, officially calling for the overturning of Obergefell.
It’s the first time the SBC has called on members to legally mobilize against gay marriage, which they say “[denies] the biological reality of male and female… undermines the truth of God’s design, and lead to social confusion and injustice.”
The Obergefell v. Hodges ruling is also described as "legal fiction" in the SBC’s proposed resolutions.
The measure opposing same-sex marriage was included in a lengthy and wide-ranging resolution titled “On Restoring Moral Clarity through God’s Design for Gender, Marriage, and the Family.” The resolution also calls for defunding Planned Parenthood, supports “parental rights in education and healthcare,” and advocates for “safety and fairness in female athletic competition”—a nod to ongoing debates over the participation of transgender women in women’s sports.
Other resolutions ask members to vote on approving bans on pornography and abortion pills, as well as significant curtailing of sports betting.
These resolutions are not legally binding, but often give insight into what issues are capturing the attention of religious circles beyond the walls of the SBC… and what they might hope to accomplish in the courts in the coming year.
Evangelical Opposition
SBC representatives acknowledge their movement could be unpopular. Gay marriage has widespread and bipartisan support nationwide; 68% of Americans support the rights of same-sex couples to marry and just 29% of Americans oppose it, numbers which were nearly reversed 30 years ago.
As SBC ethicist Andrew Walker put it, “it now seems the case in many sectors of American society that same-sex marriage is just as American as baseball and apple pie... What we’re trying to do is keep the conversation alive."
Among faith groups, evangelicals represent a major holdout on acceptance of gay marriage; A 2024 survey of faith groups found that only 36% of evangelicals even agree that homosexuality should be accepted in society at all – let alone be involved in marriage.
“We know that we’re in a minority in the culture right now, but we want to be a prophetic minority,” said Denny Burk, the president of the Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood.
So Long, Gay Marriage?
Evangelicals, emboldened by the successful overturning of Roe v. Wade a few years ago, are fighting to return to a world where marriage is between only a man and a woman – and they're willing to play the long game.
After all, it took the anti-abortion movement some 50 years to argue the right case at the right time in front of the right court.
But many LGBTQ+ rights groups worry that this effort could be swifter than the battle over Roe.
The current Supreme Court, with its 6-3 conservative majority, offers fewer ideological roadblocks than past courts. And some religious groups believe this creates an opportunity to overturn Obergefell, or potentially even institute a national ban on gay marriage.
Considering that Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas left the door open to future legal challenges to Obergefell back when Roe was overturned, they may not be wrong.
What is your reaction?
26 comments
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James Riggle-Johnson
Why do they keep singing the same tired song? Same-sex marriage hasn’t ended civilization. Society hasn’t fallen apart. If anything is threatening it, it’s religious zealots trying to force their beliefs onto everyone else—telling roughly 10% of the population how they should live.
The real question is this: Should same-sex couples be treated as equals under the law, or does the Constitution allow for second-class citizens? Equal protection under federal law means everyone. At least, it should.
All the opposition to same-sex marriage comes from religious groups and their followers—as if their religious freedom is more important than someone’s basic humanity. But no one is forcing churches to perform same-sex weddings. And let’s be honest—no same-sex couple wants to be married by someone who thinks their existence is sinful.
Religious freedom matters—but so does personal freedom. And both should be protected.
Groups like the Southern Baptist Convention—and certain state lawmakers who share their religious agenda—are fighting something that doesn’t affect them at all. These aren’t just neutral legislators; many are driven by the same theology and dogma that fuels these anti-LGBTQ efforts. They say LGBTQ people should “keep it in the bedroom,” but they’re the ones peeking through our windows. They say we’re divisive, while they’re the ones drawing the lines.
Knock it off. Stay out of my home, my marriage, and my life. If you want to help society, focus on real problems—like starvation, gun violence, and poverty. Leave the LGBTQ community alone.
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Lawrence A. Benson
Very well said. Thank you for sharing.
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Rev. MichaelRS
My personal opinion is that, as long as they are not forcing any particular religious faith or individual to act contrary to their teachings, same-sex marriage should remain the law of the land.
Basically leave the Roman Catholics and Southern Baptist others alone if they don't want to perform and recognize those rites.
There's always the Anglicans or the Metropolitan Community Church or City Hall as well as many here who will happily oblige.
That being said, use whatever mental gymnastics you would like to, but whenever the judeo-christian scriptures touch on the subject of same-sex relationships it is not in the context of saying anything positive about them. But if your faith community has a different view... well, I guess we'll eventually find out which is right.
And I know the atheist, who ironically like to call themselves "ministers", but ministers of what exactly I'm not sure, will weigh in on this. Though I'm not sure why they think they have standing to. This is a faith-based discussion and they, apparently, don't have any (faith).
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Michael Hunt
Atheists have faith that there is no afterlife or higher being. They just have no core set of beliefs such as the Bible, Torah, Quran, etc.
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Bishop William Dusenberry, DD
As a ULC ordained minister, I advertise on my ULC minister’s website, that my SHP denomination of the ULC is (to the best of my knowledge) the only church which can actually prove the existence of God; we don’t have any commandments — however we have numerous moral recommendations, for example, if one’s sexual preferences, deviate from the norm, and no one is harmed (including minors) it’s no body’s business, except for those so involved. Those arrogant enough, to understand that what they consider right or wrong, should be right or wrong for everyone else, are the reason the word arrogant evolved in the first place— and if there’s afoot of all evil —it’s arrogance by true believers.
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Katina Ford
I myself, have been married to my wife for almost 8 years, June 17. We also live in a bible belt community of Mississippi. yes, we have had a few locals that dont agree with us as a married couple or even as a in general. But for the most of people here, they don't have much of a problem with it, once they meet us and get to know us for who we are. We own several businesses in our town and are well known for them. Customers show up every day, new and old ones, yet they never make any judgement calls. We dont choke people down with out lifestyle but when we introduce ourselves to others, it is this is my wife_____. So to say the least, everyone has their own opinion, but I feel we are all facing only ONE JUDGE. And that needs to left up to him, to guide us where he wants us and have the last say so. Women marry omen every day that are child molesters, as some women are too. Are they can marry someone that is a woman abuser, a murder, etc, The list goes on and on. So do we marry those people, just because they are the opposite sex, as oppose to who we love.(male or female). Remember-EVERYONE is entitled to be loved, even the murders and so on..
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Lawrence A. Benson
Somebody needs to re-read the story of Lot and his family, Sodom and Gomorrah. (and keep re-reading it until you get the true meaning). It seems to me that religious scholars need to spend less time "judging" others and more time worrying about themselves. Jesus lived with sinners and preached through example, not judgment. "Judge not lest you be judged". Jesus preaches about the golden rule and the dangers of hypocrisy.
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Dan Anderson
Lawrence - May I made a minor editorial on your point with the fable of Lot & Company.
Sodom & Gommorah were destroyed because of INHOSPITALITY AND RAPE.
I can tell when people use this story to justify hatred of homosexuals that they have NOT read most, if not all of the Bible.
Keep up the good work!
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Nicholas J Page
As a heterosexual man this is definitely discrimination we have 2 gay girls living above us and I have offered my services to them.
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Tecla Caryl Loup
So what did they say??
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William E Muldrew
Read your Bible, Adam and Eve, not Jane and Jennifer. That's why they world is going to burn.
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Elizabeth Jane Erbe Wilcox
YOUR world might be burning but if it is it’s not due to same sex marriage. Nor is it due to the existence of transgender human beings. In fact, it’s not due to anything other than your own hatred and misdirected anger.
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Michael Hunt
The world is going to burn because of global warming since no one in a position of power cares to do anything about it. The LGBTQ community won't be the reason.
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Lionheart
Is it that the same book that talks about a talking Snake and a Talking Ass, and a Unicorn, and a man walking on water that was born to a 13 or 14 year old girl? Just asking for a friend of mine that loves other books of fiction like Alice In Wonderland, and Harry Potter. 🤭
🦁♥️
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Rev. BH
William, and who did Adam and Eve's three sons impregnate? Mom? Yikes!
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Colleen McAllister
I am an Evangelical and a female. Do I think homosexuality is "normal"? No but we live in a fallen world and things here are not as God had planned. Therefore instead of judging those who live differently we need to embrace them. Most people do not choose their sexial preference so I do not see it as a sin. Same sex marriage should be accepted just as divorce is. A friend of mine once said that someone's sexual preference is none of our business unless we intend to have sex with them. Let the law stand.
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Jimmy Moon
GOD has already ruled against the sodomites. Repent.
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Dan Anderson
Jimmy - how has GOD already ruled against the sodomites?
Are you talking about Leviticus 18:22 and 21:30? That was an issue regarding the Canaanites using male temple prostitutes in their religious ceremonies. It had nothing to do with two people of the same gender.
How about Romans 1:26? Oh, if you only knew the historicity of your own religion. Paul/Saul was observing a religious ceremony to the goddess Dianna. It had to do with hopes of increase calvings & lambings, and also improved crops. This event ended up in an orgy! It had nothing to do with any feelings between to males or two femails.
1Cor6:9-10. Take a peek at the KJV1611 version of your own Bible. the term 'homosexual' does not even appear there. That was added more recently. So much for 'shall not change the Word of God, one tittle.'
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Jimmy Moon
You sound like you are lost. I could be wrong, but your interpretation is sorely lacking. Repent and be filled with the Holy Spirit and gain the wisdom to understand. Until then, KJV Matthew 7:6 "Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you."
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Dan Anderson
Jimmy - Not to brag, but have you studied the historicity and culture of Christianity? I have.
How am I lost?
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Jimmy Moon
Only a heart knowledge of JESUS CHRIST as your SAVIOR will do you any good. Historical knowledge is just like reading about WWII history. It won’t get you to Heaven.
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James Riggle-Johnson
Jimmy, that’s not God speaking to you… It’s the Devil. You seem to miss how much the bible has been rewritten to fit certain people's own desires, and not the word of God!
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Lionheart
Which God is that? Is it the one in 2 Kings 2 that that killed 42 children for ridiculing a bald man?
🦁❤️
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Jimmy Moon
It is the exact same GOD of the Bible. Good call.
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Dan Anderson
Jimmy - So that means also the God of the Jews and the God of the Muslims, right?
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OMg! I'm so scared of happily married gay couples in my neighborhood! (Remind me, what's the problem again?)