Well, my personal mission statement is that we want marriage equality in all 50 states. We want it not to be a state-by-state issue. We don't want it to be something the majority is voting on. I don't think the civil rights of any minority should be in the hands of any majority.

In this quote, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, an actor and LGBTQ+ advocate, is expressing his commitment to marriage equality for same-sex couples across the United States. He clarifies that his goal is for marriage equality to be established in all 50 states, rather than being treated as a state-by-state issue. Ferguson is advocating for nationwide legal recognition of same-sex marriage, believing that the rights of individuals should not be subject to varying laws based on geographic location.

Ferguson also highlights his belief that marriage equality should not be left up to the decision of the majority in any given state. By stating, "I don't think the civil rights of any minority should be in the hands of any majority," he is arguing that civil rights—specifically the right to marry—should be protected by law and not be contingent on the views of the majority. This reflects a broader principle in human rights advocacy, which holds that minority groups should not have their rights subject to the whims of popular opinion or democratic vote, as this could lead to the oppression of marginalized communities.

The essence of Ferguson’s statement is rooted in the belief that civil rights should be universal and not determined by the political or social climate of any given region. This stance is particularly significant in the context of LGBTQ+ rights, where marriage equality was not uniformly accepted across the U.S. until the Supreme Court ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges in 2015, which legalized same-sex marriage nationwide. Ferguson’s words resonate with the argument that equal rights should be granted as a fundamental principle, irrespective of local or public opinion.

Ultimately, this quote reflects Ferguson's advocacy for equal rights, his stance against the discrimination of minority groups, and his belief that certain fundamental freedoms—such as the right to marry—should be guaranteed to everyone, regardless of where they live or the views of the majority. His words echo the broader civil rights movement, which has fought for the protection of marginalized communities' rights under the law.