On Friday, the United States took a giant leap forward in the battle for equality when the Supreme Court ruled that all states must honor same-sex marriages nationwide — meaning the term 'marriage' is now wonderfully all-encompassing. The move places the U.S. on a list of 18 other countries with similar marriage equality protection laws, and — for many — is indicative of a potentially brighter future for generations to come.
Speaking withThe Fader shortly after the Supreme Court's historic decision, Mykki Blanco passionately expressed excitement for the changes ahead. "The fact that it's taken so long to acquire a basic human right is very telling about where a certain generation in our country was, or is," Blanco tells The Fader. "But rather than focus today on the negatives, I think we should really just celebrate what this means for future generations."
Blanco also pointed out the victory of acceptance, underlining this sentiment with the fact that the former "inequality and injustice" surrounding marriage is "no longer institutionalized." When asked about President Barack Obama's contributions to the furthering of equality, Blanco noted the quickening pace of the current paradigm shift while expressing determined gratitude regarding Obama's legacy. "Obama isn't perfect," says Blanco, "but he's begun slowly but surely to bring this country out of the dark ages."
Blanco recently revealed a four-year struggle to accept an HIV positive status, adding that it's "time to actually be as punk as I say I am." Blanco later tweeted a message of encouragement for those struggling with their own secrets, projecting the value of a life spent living in the light:
