A few weeks ago in the Opinions section, it was said that, "The injustice of the past is gone. There is no discrimination that's enforced legally." Even though this was written with racial discrimination in mind, it is naive to say legally-enforced discrimination no longer exists. Discrimination against sexuality is still rampant - the fight for marriage equality is huge and isn't getting enough attention in the South.
In the United States there are six states which allow same-sex marriage - only six. There are eighteen which do not recognize any kind of same-sex union, and Alabama is one of them. Eighteen states where you and your fiance couldn't get married and wouldn't receive legal benefits of any kind of union. Only six states where you could receive a marriage certificate with benefits.
Seems pretty unfair, doesn't it?
There is no reason why same-sex marriage should not be legal. Why should someone be forced to argue about love or prove how valid their emotions are? Did we as a nation vote for heterosexual marriage? No, we certainly did not. Therefore, I don't understand why same-sex marriage is even in question. It's a right.
There isn't a defining line between a gay person, a straight person, a bisexual person--someone may have a different sexuality than you, but you probably still share the same hopes and fears. We're all human.
We must do something about this close-minded mentality. If we, the new generation, stay silent, nothing will change. The gay rights movement is our Civil Rights movement. Until it is legal in every state for people of all sexualities to be married and be given the same adoption rights there will still be discrimination in America.
Rachel Davis
freshman, psychology
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