Spectator readers, for a split second, just stand back and take a look at the world around you. Despite what pundits say, we are living in revolutionary times. Acceptance is spreading throughout the country. Coalitions for minorities spread like wildfire, and with the ability to research immediately on the Internet, eyes have opened and minds have followed suit. It seems that in such times, minorities would be able to have very simple rights. Obviously, this is not the case.
In November, 2008, the people of California passed the controversial Proposition 8, which specified that any marriage in California could only be between people of opposite sex. This legalization of bigotry was considered a humongous step backwards for a nation that was taking a huge step forward with the presidential candidacy of a black man.
However, on August 4th, 2010, good sense prevailed. Judge Vaughan Walker of San Francisco, in what can only be called a landmark ruling, overturned Proposition 8, effectively giving marriage rights back to lesbians and gay males. As of today, the ruling is awaiting appeal from the sponsors of Prop 8, but Walker and his constituents remain confident that the rights of these people will remain protected.
Now, dear reader, I’m not going to perpetuate the points that have already been brought up in every situation such as this. What I will do, however, is say that regardless of people’s opinions on homosexuality, I doubt anyone can find a way to condone keeping humans segregated. Yes, the repeal of Prop 8 concerns the rights of gay people, but it is more than that. It concerns human rights. I dare you to deny that gays are human beings. I don’t think there is a soul on this Earth that can deny that gay people have hearts that beat, minds that think, and bones that break. Although I’m sure no one can be that ignorant, I’m just as assured that it wouldn’t make any difference regarding marriage. For many people, the homosexuality of these people would precede their humanity. The fact that they feel deep love for another person of the same sex would mean nothing because of the fact that they would want to join them in matrimony. Everyone has heard of how many would consider gay marriage as sacrilege, but I know that many more would say it is sacrilege to deny another human being the happiness of being with the person they love. It is true that religious beliefs rule the majority of the US system, but to let the majority rule in this situation would be to sacrifice the right to opinion that America was created to protect.
America needs to stop depending on the beliefs of yesterday to define its ideals today. Doing so will only result in an intellectual standstill. In the case of giving rights to gay people, we must realize that the convictions of the past are not only not providing a good example, but are justifying hatred and ignorance.