I chose to critique a commentary
from the Houston Chronicle which discusses same-sex
marriage laws in the U.S. The
article was written by five mayors from cities across America. The mayors are chairs of Mayors
for the Freedom to Marry, a broad-based and nonpartisan group of
individuals who have managed to come together to end marriage discrimination of
gay and lesbian couples.
This is a topic I have engaged in
many times with complete strangers, peers and family. So many issues arise from these discussions,
some relevant some not. I often get
asked if I am proud to be an American and I have to say “sometimes”. How can I be proud if people are being discriminated
against everyday? The article states
that we are making progress. Washington , New Jersey
and Maryland
passed marriages bills in the last few weeks making it seven states that now recognize
gay marriages. The only issue is that
the federal government does not.
I am pleased to read that Mayors for
the Freedom to Marry, is making headway, gaining momentum in their fight
against discrimination towards same-sex marriages. I
agree that the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) which denies legally married
same-sex couples the same rights and benefits as opposite-sex couples is
unconstitutional. Gays and lesbians are
people who work hard and pay their taxes.
People will argue that it is a choice but I disagree. My beautiful daughter came to me two years
ago saying she “liked” someone who happened to be female. “It just happened”, the “butterflies in my
tummy, just like I felt when I first met him.” My husband, my son and I
accepted her and her girlfriend without hesitation! They will be celebrating two years together
this May. She is a bright, beautiful and
smart young woman who should not be denied the right as her father and I have
as a couple. Same-sex marriages are
denied social security, health insurance, hospital visitation, retirement,
pensions, etc. Same-sex couples contribute
to society just as opposite-sex couples do.
She hopes to have children some day and I welcome the day she makes me a
grandparent. People argue that children do
best when raised by a mother and father, that same-sex marriage is not in the
best interest of the child. I believe that
all married couples can raise successful, respectful children, which was
clearly proven by a 19 year old college student named Zach Wahl.