Same-sex marriage ruling another step in long process

Many desire to surround themselves with ideas, people and views they find comfortable. For many, they want to see only boys with girls and men with women, and anything outside of this narrow world is excluded. However, as our world becomes more open minded, we grew to accept others differences.

On a recent summer morning, Barack Obama delivered a speech from the White House. He stated that the Constitution guarantees marriage equality, regardless of who the individuals are or who they love. The Supreme Court ruled in June that same-sex marriages are legal in all fifty states. This ruling expanded equal rights to the LGBT community. After a long fight, they finally had a major victory.

Many Americans who were previously excluded were married after the ruling. All over social media users were changing their profile picture to have rainbow effects, YouTube was posting new videos, and the trending hashtag was #lovewins.

Even while this was a win for gay rights, the ruling has split the country.

Many people were pleased. Ms. Michelle Kaplowitz, counselor at Royal Oak Intermediate School, believes the ruling will help individuals who have felt marginalized be part of mainstream society. Presently, gay teenagers have the highest suicide rates, she indicated, largely because of family disapproval and peer bullying. She hopes that the ruling will allow more students to feel supported in their personal choices.

Ms. Kaplowitz acknowledged that Supreme Court ruling will make a difference in the lives of many. Partners in same-sex marriages will now be able to receive military and insurance benefits, and they will have rights to medical information and to make medical decisions. Surviving partners will be eligible for social security benefits.

Andrew Saroas, freshman, was also pleased about this ruling. Andrew “came out of the closet” as gay in his middle school years and received support from his grandmother, who told him, “I believe that people are born the way they are. We are creating God’s image no matter race or sexuality.” Despite this positive feedback, he received nasty comments and sneers from close friends and other family members. While he said, “People can take or leave me,” he still struggles to find himself, to be accepted, to fit in and to be himself. When he received a simple text message: same sex marriage is legal in America as of today, he was very happy and screamed in delight.

Some people were apprehensive. Mrs. D’Agata, English teacher, was concerned that the openly gay teachers will be treated inappropriately. She also thinks that the slur ‘gay’ will increased. She is also a mother, who knows she will tell her children, when they are old enough, “ This is how our family is, but as long as you love the other person, it doesn’t matter what you do I will always love you.”

Some people are supportive. Ms. Jansen, ASL teacher, was in favor of the LGBT+ ruling. She stated, “I do think the ruling should have changed as it did to stop excluding individuals who were previously unable to marry the person of their choice.”

The children and future children of America will not need to fight for certain rights. One child who spoke about the LGBT ruling was Michael Saroas, student at Cedargrove Elementary. He feels that the LGBT should “have the right to marry because it is who you love no matter what gender.”

This ruling is a big step for America and the world. America influences many countries. This ruling changes history. One day Americans now will look back at life before this ruling and recognize how changes took place over time.

–Jaylee Cortes