<h5>What did President Joe Biden sign?
</h5>  <p>Thousands of people gathered in a joyful celebration on 13th December 2022 to witness American President Joe Biden officially sign the Respect for Marriage Act, which allows legal protections for same-sex and interracial couples. The signing took place on the south lawn of the White House.</p>
<p>First Lady Jill Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris joined Biden during the signing. There were politicians from both parties (Republicans and Democrats) during the signing. This shows the rising acceptance of same-sex marriages, previously one of the most controversial subjects in the nation.</p>
<p>Over the course of his life, Biden's opinions have evolved to support same-sex marriage, like those of many Americans. Earlier, he used to support certain laws that would have slowed down the growth of LGBTQ rights in the country. But, later, he changed his opinion.</p>
<p>Now, after becoming the president of the country, Biden has signed the Respect for Marriage Act for the good of the country’s LGBTQ community.
</p> <h5>How will this act affect same-sex and interracial couples?
</h5> <figure>
        <img src="https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/newsahoot.appspot.com/o/president-joe-biden-signs-the-respect-for-marriage-act%2F6666.jpeg?alt=media&token=928727eb-0285-4835-a1ed-eb494cf2fdb0" alt="How will this act affect same-sex and interracial couples?
" >
        <figcaption>People who gathered to witness the signing of the Respect for Marriage Act. Photo by Brian J. Karem.</figcaption>
      </figure> <p>In 2015, the US Supreme Court passed a law that allowed same-sex marriages nationwide. The Respect for Marriage Act will protect same-sex couples if the 2015 decision is ever removed. Under the new act, same-sex couples and interracial couples will be given the same federal rights as other married couples.</p>
<p>The act also says that all the states in the USA must recognise same-sex couples as married in any state as long as the marriage is legal. However, under this act, churches and other religious places can still refuse to officiate same-sex weddings.</p>
<p>In addition, if the court reverses its 2015 decision, states where same-sex marriage is not legal, would not be forced to grant marriage licences to such couples. However, they will have to accept marriages that take place in states where same-sex marriage is legal.
</p> <h5>Is same-sex marriage legal in India?
</h5>  <p>Discrimination against LGBTQ individuals is illegal in India. Homosexual relationships were not allowed in India for a very long time. Thankfully, this is no longer the case. However, several states have bans on homosexual marriages. </p>
<p>Currently, neither same-sex marriages nor same-sex adoptions are recognised by the government. Same-sex relationships are also not taken well by most Indian societies. However, courts appear to be more progressive than the rest of society when it comes to same-sex relationships.</p>
<p>Recently, the Kerala High Court ruled that a homosexual couple could live together despite opposition from their families. This shows that times and views are changing for the better.
</p> <h5>What did we learn from this article?
</h5>  <p>We learned that people should not be discriminated against based on who they love. Everyone should be able to marry the person they love. And even if we personally do not agree with someone else’s way of life, we must still treat them with respect.</p>
<p>Do you think same-sex couples should be treated the same as other couples? Tell us your views in the comments.
</p>

Recently, American President Joe Biden signed the Respect for Marriage Act. This act offers certain rights to same-sex and interracial couples. Let’s read to find out more.

President Joe Biden Signs the Respect for Marriage Act

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