Gay marriage plaintiff: ‘It still feels a bit unreal’

The plaintiff in a case that resulted in a Supreme Court decision legalizing gay marriage nationwide says he wanted to help same-sex couples enjoy the institution of marriage.

{mosads}Jim Obergefell said on Sunday that his lawsuit, Obergefell v. Hodges, was meant to ensure that gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender couples are respected like anyone else.

“We’re simply asking to be treated equally and fairly, and enjoy the institution of marriage and to be able to commit to the ones we love,” he told host George Stephanopoulos on ABC’s “This Week.”

“Think about your brother, your son, your sister, your daughter, a dear friend,” he said. “If one of them were gay, they would still be the same person.”

“You would still love them,” he added. “And wouldn’t you want them to enjoy the same rights that you do and that everyone else in this country does?”

Friday’s landmark 5-4 decision requires states to recognize same-sex marriages nationwide.

Obergefell said on Sunday that the case’s outcome still overwhelms him with joy.

“It still feels a bit unreal, George,” he told Stephanopoulos. “It’s been amazing. It’s hard to believe that it’s happened.”

Obergefell also said he plans on continuing his activism for more LGBT rights going forward.

“I’ve discovered that fighting for something that’s bigger than me is very important to me, and I will continue … to be involved for the fight for nondiscrimination, making sure that the LGBT community across the country truly is an equal part of society, and deserving of all the same rights and protections,” he said.