Obergefell and Hodges: From Supreme Court Case to Friendship | JQJO

Ten years after the Obergefell v. Hodges Supreme Court ruling legalized same-sex marriage nationwide, the two men whose names defined the case, Jim Obergefell and Rick Hodges, are now friends. Obergefell, the lead plaintiff, and Hodges, Ohio's health director who defended the state's ban, met a year after the decision. Despite their opposing roles in the landmark case, they share a mutual respect and friendship, meeting regularly for events and conferences. Hodges, who personally supported same-sex marriage, fulfilled his professional duty to defend the state's position. Their unlikely friendship serves as a positive example of bridging divides on social issues.