Obergefell and Hodges Build Unlikely Friendship

The Supreme Court made same-sex marriage legal in 2015. This decision came from the case Obergefell v. Hodges. Jim Obergefell and Rick Hodges were on opposite sides of this case, but they are now friends.

Jim Obergefell met Rick Hodges one year after the court's decision. They met at an event for LGBTQ+ people. Someone asked Jim if he wanted to meet Rick Hodges, who was a defendant in the case.

Rick Hodges said he wanted to meet Jim Obergefell. He called Jim an \"icon\" for his work. Rick was happy that Jim won the case, even though he lost it himself.

Jim and his partner, John Arthur, wanted to marry. They flew to Maryland because they could not marry in Ohio. John had ALS, and Jim cared for him; they fought to have their marriage on John's death certificate.

Rick Hodges had to defend Ohio's laws as the state health director. However, he personally supported same-sex marriage. Jim and Rick are now friends and speak at events together; they show how people with different views can be friends.