Democracy Prevails as Gay Rights Movement Pushes Forward

Stefani Rubino, Managing/Opinions Editor

Issue date: 4/14/09 Section: Opinions

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Same-sex marriage advocates in Montpelier, VT brought to tears after the announcement of the overturning of the veto of a bill that would legalize gay marriage in the state.

Last month, Iowa's Supreme Court ruled that a ban on gay marriage is unconstitutional. Last week, Vermont's State Legislature overrode the veto of a bill that would allow gay people to marry, making it the first state to go through legislative action, instead of a Supreme Court ruling. Now, nine other state legislatures, including New York, New Jersey, Maine and New Hampshire, are considering similar measures.

Most people do not understand how important it is for states to be taking this issue on, instead of regular people filing suit against the states they live in for their rights. Not only does this show how this movement is gaining momentum, these initiatives also show democracy at its best.

After the passing of amendments and propositions that take away domestic partnership and civil union benefits across the country, the fact that bills allowing gay marriage are on the table in many different states is a big step.

Though the struggle for gay rights does not exactly compare to other human rights struggles of the past, the road towards gay marriage bills and gay parenting bills has been difficult and completely unjustified.

The most interesting thing about is that Americans set aside racial discrimination to elect an African-American as president, but cannot set aside discrimination based on sexual orientation to allow homosexual couples the right to adopt children, visit each other in the hospital or have their relationship recognized by the government.

However, it does seem as if Obama's election is what opened the door for these initiatives. Finally, state governments realize how important their rights are and are taking the necessary measures to ensure their people are granted the proper rights, as well.

Just as this is a victory for the gay community and gay rights activists, this is a victory for all states taking the initiative to grant homosexuals these rights. More than anything, these initiatives prove that the power of state governments can be just as significant as the power of the federal government. Hopefully, this movement will continue gaining more momentum and states will continue to realize their importance in the infrastructure of the U.S.

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