Today, the California Supreme Court struck down the law that denied same-sex couples the right to marry.
It is a huge step - and I could not believe that I heard the great news when I woke up this morning. But, of course, the fight is not over.
Already an obstacle, a ballot initiative aimed at the November primary to throw today's historic ruling out the window. The initiative would prohibit marriages between same-sex couples in California and add it to the state's constitution - a thing that would be a huge setback.
Here we are, 2008 - and people are getting in an uproar about it. We have larger issues to worry about - why not focus on raising gas prices, the crumbling economy, or this endless war?
I spent half the day reading news articles, skimming the 121 page decision, and watching the news. KTVU Channel 2 News decided to interview some people out in Walnut Creek, CA (a city close to mine) out in the East Bay. Of course, it's a little bit more conservative and people were not pleased with the decision. The people who were interviewed were even hesitant to give their opinion on camera. Why would that be? Do you feel that you opinion could be WRONG and you are not treating gay and lesbian couples as PEOPLE?
Today, In my idealistic world, I would like to believe that people know that it is OKAY for same-sex couples to marry. That people understand that it is only FAIR and EQUAL to allow same-sex couples the same rights as heterosexual couples.
Massachusetts has proven that same-sex marriages have not crumbled society; the apocalypse has not come.
Although there are arguments in the queer community regarding the whole notion of marriage, nobody can argue that today was a historic case. Queer couples will actually have a choice to have their relationships recognized, not only by the state, but by their friends, family, and to the world.
History is being rewritten as we speak. One can either hop on the bandwagon and support equality or stand in the way.
On the newscast in Walnut Creek, one older woman said she supported civil unions, but the idea of marriage was just ludicrous. Well, my response to the older woman - Civil Unions may afford queer couples many rights of marriage, although it is NOT equal. The whole movement is about equality and making a world where everyone is treated equally, REGARDLESS of ones age, race, religion, sex, ability, national origin, socio-economic status, and SEXUALITY.
That is the world I want to live in. I can only hope you do too.
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