Marriage & Relationship Recognition

It’s still extremely hard for me to believe that in today’s society people are fighting long and hard for equal rights. I am a firm believer that equality isn’t something that should be fought for, and it certainly is not a privilege, but a right. Everyone is entitled to personal equality, but often not we as people are faced more with the inequalities of social justice issues. More specifically, social justice issues concerning the GLBT community.

The GLBT community have been fighting for equal rights for many, many years. Although, for some reason, based on their sexual orientation, others believe it to be a choice or a lifestyle. It is much more than that, it is a part of who he/she is as a human being. With recent social issues concerning the GLBT community, such as California’s Proposition 8 (Same-Sex Marriage Amendment). Many Californians have been fighting constantly and consistently for their right to same-sex marriage. But they are being treated more like second-class citizens. Who decides to take away someone’s right to be with the person they truly love, whether it be man/man or woman/woman? Isn’t love the same for all couples? Doesn’t everyone have the right to full and utter happiness? These are questions that plague me. Why are GLBT couples treated differently than heterosexual couples? What sort of injustice and unconstitutional world are we living in?

Some may say that we have come a long way. According to the final statement from NO on PROP 8 Campaign, up until 1974 same-sex intimacy was a crime in California. There wasn’t single law recognizing the relationships of same-sex couples until 1984 — passed by the Berkeley School District. San Francisco did not pass domestic-partner protections until 1990, the state of California following in 2005. And in 2000, Proposition 22 passed with a 23% majority.

California: Proposition 8
11/4/08

Same-Sex Marriage Amendment

ELIMINATES RIGHT OF SAME-SEX COUPLES TO MARRY.
INITIATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.

• Changes the California Constitution to eliminate the right of same-sex couples to marry in California.

• Provides that only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.

Protestors, both gay and straight have been protesting against the Prop 8 ever since the amendment passed. Holding rallies and marches all over the state of California. Celebrities have also played a major role in the fight for equality amongst GLBT. Involvement included, Ellen DeGeneres, Melissa Etheridge, Wanda Sykes, Drew Barrymore, Ricki Lake, and numerous other celebrities! We need to work together as human beings to help increase peace around not only America, but around the world.

Helping fight for equality for everyone is, The Human Rights Campaign. The Human Rights Campaign is an organization that works closely with state leaders across the nation on marriage initiatives. According to HRC.org, same-sex couples are entitled to all of the state-level rights and benefits of marriage in Massachusetts. In addition, same-sex couples in New Jersey, New Hampshire, Vermont and Connecticut are able to enter into state-level civil unions, and there are broad domestic partnership laws in California and Oregon. In New York, after a 2008 court ruling, valid out-of-state marriages of same-sex couples must be legally recognized.

Marriage and relationship recognition...

...Is that so much to ask for?

There is something that I would like to share with all of you, and I urge you to watch! Comments are encouraged.

                                                       Thank you.

Olbermann: Gay marriage is a question of love

Nov. 10: In a Special Comment, Countdown's Keith Olbermann disagrees with the passing of Proposition 8 in California and urges people to accept love between people of the same sex.

 http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/27652443#27652443

http://www.noonprop8.com/
http://www.pollster.com/polls/ca/08
http://www.hrc.org/issues/marriage.asp