In the 1950’s and 1960’s the civil rights movement took place in the United States. Hundreds of American citizens had to fight for their constitutional rights. They had to stand up against segregation, hatred and fear to get the respect they deserved. Today, we, as a nation, look back at this event with reverence and esteem for those who were brave enough the fight for their right. We swore to never discriminate or deny American citizens the rights that they lawfully deserve. But, we are denying U.S citizens of their constitutional rights, daily. Instead of racial differences, we are now discriminating against different sexual orientation. For me, this “issue” should not be an issue at all. Our country has far more pressing matters to deal with then arguing against something that shouldn’t need to be argued at all. I believe that, same sex couples deserve the same respect and rights as heterosexual couples, and allowing same sex marriage in every state would be the next logical step to achieving that goal.
Same sex couples that wish to marry don’t always just want the social status of marriage; they also want a legal status. Marriage gives couples many legal privileges that civil unions and domestic partnerships do not. Some of the legal benefits of marriage are automatic inheritance, child custody, domestic violence protection, and rights to visitation/medical decisions of a spouse. Civil unions and domestic partnerships don’t have any of these advantages. One of the biggest issues with civil unions is that they don’t have rights letting you make medical decisions for your spouse. Medical decisions must then be made by the next of kin; children, cousins, exedra. I remember watching a video on Plan Your Future Day showing a lesbian, civil union united, woman who was denied the right to make any medical decisions for her seriously ill partner. These choices had to be made by family members of the ill partner, who had not been in contact with the partner for several years. In my opinion, it is cruel and unjust to deny someone the right to help and care for the one they love. If these rights and benefits are not given in a civil union or domestic partnerships and states are denying same sex couples the right to marry, then we are being unfair and unconstitutional to the citizens of this country.
While interviewing Susan and Diane, a married lesbian couple of Shelburne VT, told me that by allowing same sex marriage in a state, that state becomes more economically set. "If only a few states allow same sex marriage and a lot of same sex couples want to get married, then they are going to pay to have their wedding in that state" said Susan. I had never thought of this before and I realized it is very true. States that do allow same sex marriage are Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Iowa. If there are only 6 states out of 50 that allow same sex marriage, then these states are going to have better economically standing due to the fact they allow this right. More same sex couple will pay to be married, have their weddings and live in these states; thus making the population of the states stable as well. If more states begin to allow and acknowledge same sex marriage then there economy may become more secure along with their population.
Large portions of the people against same sex marriage have the argument that it will destroy family values and that the couples will raise their children in a nontraditional way. Yet, in the U.S.A, 25 to 30% of children have come from divorced or separated homes. I believe that family values are being more destroyed by divorce then by homosexual families. I have noticed that “broken homes” tend to leave children more upset and unhappy then homosexual homes have ever done. As long as the parents of the children are caring and loving to the child, then I see no argument against people who wish to have and raise their own children. Also, many states do not allow homosexual couples to adopt children, even if they are married. I am very confused by this. There are so many children in the world that wish, and need, to have homes and people to care for them. If people want to start families and be good parents to a child that needs them, then I see no argument against allowing same sex couples to adopt and raise families. Every state, no matter what their standing is on same sex marriage, should allow same sex couples the right to adopt and raise children.
Our nation has been known as “The land of the free, and the home of the brave” since before the civil war. Thousands of people have come bravely to our country on the dream that they will be free. Free to speak up against cruelty, free to worship what religion they choose, and freedom to protect themselves and their families. These are only a few of the freedoms and rights we allow in our nation. But imagine coming to this nation thinking that this is where you can finally be free. To finally have all the rights you lawfully deserve. But, you realize that this slogan, “The land of the free, and the home of the brave”, isn’t all true. You are not totally free. They have lied to you and taken away the right to love and be happy; you are not allowed to marry the one you love. But this slogan is not all untrue. This is the home of the brave. People can fight for what they want. They can stand up against injustice and speak their opinion. And so can you. You can fight and stand with people just like you and show with your numbers and your passion that “we are here and we deserve equality.” You must have hope and faith that your efforts are helping others and helping you get the rights you deserve. As the gay politician of San Francisco, Harvey Milk, once said “you’ve got to give them hope.”
