Another Straight for Gay Rights

I'm not gonna say I hate Kansas...that would be intolerant. And I'm not intolerant.

Who am I kidding???? Yes I am...way to go Kansas! 70% of your population is small-minded, ignorant, and discriminating! But, worry not Kansas, you're not alone. You have now joined 17 other states in taking away a basic human right from a sizeable portion of American citizens. I'm sure 70% of you are very proud.

When I heard that Kansas had voted "yes" to ban gay marriage, I can't say I was surprised. I mean when the entire K State campus was covered in "vote yes" messages, you could tell what the general consesus was. Yet somehow it felt important for us "liberals" (or, in this case, what I like to call "good human beings") to chalk out our own messages declaring our support for gay marriage, showing that not all straight people are hateful, and that gay marriage shouldn't even be an issue.

But as I mentioned before, Kansas is not alone. There are now 18 states that have legally banned homosexual couples from getting married, including Michigan, Oregon, Missouri, Georgia, and North Dakota. Unfotunately, its not like much wil change in these states. Homosexual couples weren't exactly allowed to get married in these states prior to this ban. But, nontheless, its a slap in the face to hear that you legally can't get married to someone you love.

Why are so many people afraid of gay and lesbian couples getting married? I don't understand. Why is it ok for couples to get married who have only known each other for days, but not a couple who has been together for 25 years? So many people say they vote against marriage to defend the tradition/definition of marriage. Well, isn't one tradition of marriage to stay married? Yet we allow divorces to occur on a daily basis without thought. After reading many articles about the latest Kansas vote, I've confirmed thatmany people voted to ban gay marriages to "defend marriage" But then I read this quotation, which i think more peole should try to understand:

Byron Defreese, a 65-year-old retiree, called the amendment "total foolishness."
"I don't know how this is going to defend my marriage of 43 years," he said. "I think it's a diversion from the real issues" (www.CNN.com April 6, 2005).

Now, it is not my intent to insult anyone. But I just have such a hard time understanding why this is an issue. Getting married to someone you love seems so simple and basic, yet its not. But, then again, I'm lucky. I grew up in a home free of discrimination. My parents raised me to accept all people...something which I admittedly still need to work on. But from a young age, I was around gay and lesbian couples. When I was a kid, my babysitters were lesbian couples. It seemed normal to me. And now some of my closest friends are gay. I only wish everyone had the same rights and opportunities for happiness.