Seven years ago today, we saw the enormous victory of Obergefell v. Hodges and marriage equality nationwide. And, we just celebrated 18 years of marriage equality in Massachusetts. Both Obergefell and the Goodridge ruling in Massachusetts were victories for love, human dignity, and equality.

But our work did not end there. Especially as we reckon with Friday’s shameful Supreme Court ruling overturning the Constitutional right to abortion and what some Justices have signaled could mean future challenges to other core rights, we must do all we can to fight for a world where all people and families are respected and protected.

Support the Massachusetts Parentage Act: Send an email to the House and Senate chairs of judiciary in Massachusetts – Mike Day Michael.Day@mahouse.gov and Jamie Eldridge James.Eldridge@masenate.gov

In Massachusetts right now we have an amazing opportunity to act locally to protect LGBTQ+ families and their children. Massachusetts is the ONLY New England state that has not updated its parentage laws to include and protect LGBTQ+ families.

What does that mean? It means that, for your LGBTQ+ friends, they do not have protections from the moment of their child’s birth. They face barriers, cost, and humiliation to protect their children. They face losing their kids to the child welfare system. They face separation from their children. Perhaps you don’t realize the system in place in Massachusetts and how it doesn’t yet protect LGBTQ+ families. Marriage equality is so important, but it isn’t and has never been the end. We need our state family laws to protect all children, regardless of the circumstances of their birth or the marital status, gender, or sexual orientation of their parents. We are not there yet, but we are close.

If you live in Massachusetts, please take a minute today to send an email to the House and Senate chairs of Judiciary in Massachusetts: Representative Mike Day at Michael.Day@mahouse.gov and Senator Jamie Eldridge at James.Eldridge@masenate.gov.

We have until June 30 to get the Massachusetts Parentage Act out of the Judiciary Committee. We know there is so much to do in these difficult times, and we need them to act on equality for LGBTQ+ families.

Please write the chairs, tweet for action, ask your friends and neighbors to do the same. We have the power to protect people in our own Commonwealth and insulate children and families from the dangers of the current Supreme Court.

Find out more about the Massachusetts Parentage Act, the MPA Coalition, and how to take action at MassParentage.com.