Evan, Without Whom...

This article by Andrew Sullivan was originally published on May 15, 2012 in The Dish. Read the full article here.

The indispensable man in bringing marriage equality to America is Evan Wolfson. He has dedicated his entire life to the cause, and his giant intellect as well. And so it was more than fitting that he was honored yesterday with the Barnard Medal of Distinction less than a week after the president endorsed marriage equality, and got to hear the president chart an arc of widening American opportunity and inclusion from "Seneca Falls to Selma to Stonewall." History will one day see him as the critical legal critic, community organizer, and strategic activist behind this movement. Money quote from him:

It was just incredibly moving, to stand on the stage in front of these amazing young women graduates, with President Obama, receiving an award from Judge Kaye, in the week that the president embraced the freedom to marry. Really, it doesn’t get much better than that. And it was especially moving for me because I had my family there — [including] my husband.

It just really felt like we were seeing our cause embraced in the heart of the country, as well as in the wave of the next generation. Lots more to do, lots more to do. But, truly, a wonderful milestone moment.

No doubt Glenn Greenwald will roll his eyes. But Evan did the work, not Glenn. And he will continue to do the work. And he deserves his moment of joy and emotion. He doesn't allow himself many.