10 Years Since Obergefell v. Hodges

Ten years ago today, the United States Supreme Court's landmark Obergefell v. Hodges ruling made marriage equality the law of the land across the country. For Arizona, the decision marked the end of a decades-long process that began with an unexpected courthouse visit in 1975.

Arizona's connection to marriage equality dates back nearly 50 years. In January 1975, Sam Burnett and Tony Secuya obtained what is believed to be the state's first same-sex marriage license at the old Maricopa County courthouse in Phoenix. The couple was able to secure the license because no law at the time explicitly prohibited same-sex marriages.

"As far as we know, it is the first instance of a same-sex marriage license being issued in Arizona," said Marshall Shore with the Arizona LGBTQ+ History Project... READ MORE

Senator Ruben Gallego: Today marks 10 years since gay marriage was legalized across the country. That day was the culmination of decades of work and thousands of people raising their voices. Progress requires patience and persistence. We can’t let extremists take us back now.

Representative Andy Biggs: In 2014, Sergeant Brandon Mendoza of @MesaPD was tragically killed in a head-on collision with an intoxicated illegal alien. Today, the House passed H.R. 875, allowing the deportation of illegal aliens who commit DUI offenses.

Representative Eli Crane: Today, the House passed a bill to allow for the immediate deportation of illegal aliens convicted of drunk driving. Another easy yes vote for those with common sense. 160 Democrats disagree.

Representative Juan Ciscomani: For 2025, @NicheSocial has once again ranked Greenlee as the #1 county to live in Arizona—also topping the list as the best county for families and for buying a home! Congrats to Greenlee County!

Representative Abe Hamadeh: Congressman Hamadeh voted YES on H.R. 275 – Special Interest Alien Reporting Act of 2025. The bill requires DHS to publish monthly public reports, and submit them to Congress, detailing the number, nationalities, and encounter locations of special interest aliens attempting unlawful U.S. entry, with the first report covering January 20, 2021–January 19, 2025. Americans deserve transparency on potential security threats.

Representative Greg Stanton: Valley residents have wanted passenger rail service for decades. We’re one step closer to making that a reality. More from @azfamily

Obergefell v. Hodges: Celebrating Ten Years of Equality— By Cactus Politics' Ericka Pinon

National Defense Areas along the U.S.-Mexico Border— By Cactus Politics' Ericka Pinon— Arizona will become home to two of the four National Defense Areas established along the U.S.-Mexico border, significantly expanding military operations within the state.

Gallego Introduces Bill Cutting Border Agent Hiring Red Tape— By Cactus Politics' Grayson Bakich— Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) is introducing legislation to streamline the hiring process for border agents.

Record Temperatures Impact Public Health Funding— By Cactus Politics' Ericka Pinon— Phoenix's expanded cooling centers helped reduce heat-related emergency calls by 20% in 2024 despite record temperatures, but the city faces questions about how to fund these facilities after federal pandemic aid runs out in 2026.

Hamadeh Discusses CCP's Undue Influence Over Voice of America with Kari Lake— By Cactus Politics' Grayson Bakich— Representative Abe Hamadeh (R-AZ) discussed the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) undue influence over Voice of America (VOA) with Global Media Advisor Kari Lake in a recent House Foreign Affairs hearing.

Trump Admin Sanctions Mexican Banks Aiding Cartels— By Cactus Politics' Mateo Guillamont— The US Treasury Department recently announced new sanctions against Mexican banks allegedly helping cartels finance and profit from their criminal activities.

Arizona Lawmakers Back Independent Prison Oversight Bill— By Cactus Politics' Ericka Pinon— An Arizona state representative is backing a bill that would create independent oversight of the state's prison system.

ARMS Act Introduced Amid Growing Security Concerns— By Cactus Politics' Ericka Pinon— A new bill would force airport security to tell Congress how well their screening machines work after years of failed tests.

Kelly Introduces Bipartisan Bill Improving Rural Hospital Cybersecurity— By Cactus Politics' Grayson Bakich— Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) is introducing bipartisan legislation to improve the cybersecurity of rural hospitals in the United States.

22 States Coalition Suing Trump Administration— By Cactus Politics' Ericka Pinon— Attorney General Kris Mayes of Arizona has joined a group of 22 states in suing the Trump administration for cutting billions of federal grants and support. Through a contentious regulatory provision, the legal challenge contends that President Trump lacks the power to abruptly stop these essential funding sources.

The Snakebite is written by Grayson Bakich and Javier Manjarres