The Times They Are A Changin'

Just over a week ago, the State of Maine had an opportunity to become a pioneer on what is quickly becoming this generation's civil rights movement. While other states have legalized same-sex marriage via legislatures and governors, no state had seen a gay marriage law upheld once put to popular vote. Unfortunately, even after the Maine vote, the people of this great nation have still not proven majority support for same-sex marriage.

While Maine is but one small state in our country, this vote served in effect to bring the gay rights movement back to the public eye. In most public opinion polls, support for same-sex marriage hovers slightly below 50%. Based on this, one would expect that the more liberal states in the country such as Maine and California would have a higher level support and would be able to sustain such a law. So then why is this not true? What is holding back a right that is seemingly so fundamental, a right taken for granted by the majority of this nation?

To put it as simply as possible, this movement is being suppressed by hate and a fear of change. Unfortunately in this country, hate and fear too often reign supreme over hope and change in the making of laws. The election of President Obama last year was a sure sign of hope, and certainly the character of this nation is to rise up and answer the call when we are put to the greatest tests. However, there is a large population in the United States that is afraid of change, that stands in the way when their status quo is threatened by the next generation. This generational gap is rarely more stark than in the current debate over gay marriage.

While the generations of the past stand behind a wall of hate and fear, a seemingly incredulous belief that if gays can marry, then the institution of marriage will be forever lost, our generation continues to stand at that wall and slowly break it down. Some argue that it is the Bible that should keep marriage as between a man and a woman, and nothing else. Aside from the fact that our country was founded on a Constitution, not the Bible, there is absolutely no question that the laws of our nation are not wholly the laws spelled out in the Bible. I do not ask these people to give up their religion or their belief system, only to have the common decency to recognize the struggle of their fellow man, and to answer the calling of this generation. Some of my closest friends are very religious, and I respect their beliefs. Some prefer to bring up the slippery slope argument, stating that if we allow a man to marry a man and a woman to marry a woman, then eventually men will be marrying dogs. Come on. At least those who cling to the Bible have a reason for their belief, as flawed as it may be, but to argue that same-sex marriage will lead to marriage between man and animal is simply preposterous and absurd.

As a heterosexual male, I hold no real personal stake in this debate. I have two gay uncles, and while they do not seek to marry, I strongly believe that they should at least have this right should they choose to exert it. Why does it affect Bob in Oklahoma if my uncles get married? He can still go to church every Sunday, can still practice his religion, and can still raise his family as he sees fit. To tell someone else that they cannot raise a family in the same way that the rest of us can, that they cannot enjoy the benefits that come along with marriage, is simply wrong. Based on current trends, it seems as if our generation will eventually make the days of Prop 8 in California and Prop 1 in Maine votes of the past, that we will look back on this time in shame of our jaded beliefs. I only hope that this is the case. As an alternative, we may rely on the Courts to create the change we seek in the same way they became involved in the Civil Rights Movement through decisions such as Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka and Loving v. Virginia. But for a right so fundamental, the American people should be able to rise to the occasion and break through the walls of hate.

As our Declaration of Independence states, all men are created equal. Well, ever since that document was penned by our founders, we've been battling to live up to that phrase. From the Civil Rights Movement for African Americans and the Women's Suffrage Movement in the 20th Century and continuing through today, we have made great strides. As an American, I hope the time that we are able to take that next stride towards making the words of Thomas Jefferson ring true will be sooner rather than later.