Do you remember growing up and being told that in America everyone is treated as equal? Yeah, me too.
The U.S. Supreme Court recently reversed the Texas' sodomy law that banned sex between homosexuals.
The law was initially implemented after the 1986 verdict in Bowers vs. Hardwick. Now, 17 years later, the Court gave the homosexual community the thumbs up.
Within 18 pages, the Court held the Lone-Star state, as well as 12 other states, violates individuals right to privacy.
Can anyone tell me why it took 17 years for this decision to be revoked?
The small spark to this historic hurdle for the United States was ignited when police responded to a false report of a weapons disturbance at the home of John Lawrence. The authorities found Lawrence engaging in sexual intimacy with Tyron Garner. The two spent the night in jail and were not released until the next day.
Here I sit, a 21-year-old heterosexual woman, puzzled and dismayed at how authorities could enforce an almost parental tap on the backs of some of our citizens.
I can't begin to imagine.
As long as no one is hurt, it is no one's business to label certain types of love-making or passions by consenting adults as unlawful.
"This decision establishes that the state has no place in anybody's bedroom, straight or gay," legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union Steven Shapiro said.
Well said, Mr. Shapiro.
"Most Americans are uneasy with this, and yet they feel so bold looking over the border at Canada and what it (has done) that they think Americans are ready to promote homosexuality as something normal and healthy."
Yeah, that's right, Canada started marrying same-sex couples last month. Get over it. I hope to see the United States give this right to everyone here too.
Think about what a marriage really is comprised of -- legal and financial protections, benefits from the work place, child-custody issues and the possibility of child adoption. Why limit these rights to only heterosexuals?
U.S. Rep. Marilyn Musgrave (R-Col.) is already bracing herself for the possibility of same-sex marriages.
Musgrave is in the process of introducing the "Federal Marriage Amendment" which will define marriage strictly as a relationship between a man and a woman. Hoosier Rep. Mark E. Souder (R-Ind.) is a co-sponsor.
According to Lambda Legal, a man in Maryland was denied the right to bid farewell to his soul mate who became gravely ill. The hospital said only "family and spouses" were allowed.
Robert Knight of the Culture and Family Institute says on the American Family Association Web site that homosexuality is abnormal and unhealthy. It sounds like he's talking about a disease. To all of those who believe homosexuality can be "cured": Try to imagine someone curing you of heterosexuality.
I also have to snicker to myself when Knight says this motion will promote homosexuality. He is getting this "promotion" idea confused with those who will finally be comfortable with letting people know where they stand on the sexuality spectrum.
Speaking of Spectrum, the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered organization on campus, did you know that the president, Tabitha Rohrer, is straight?
We should all look to people like Tabitha who realize the importance of supporting a group that continues to be persecuted in this country.
This is a big step in the direction of equality for the United States, and it will lead to more. I hope that you will pay close attention to the progresses and realize the human right to live and love whomever you please.
Write to Melissa at mjskopelja@bsu.edu
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