COLUMN: Equality in America includes gay marriage

When I was younger, I never saw my dad cry.

The night he found out about my attraction to the same sex was the first night he ever did. He kept me up until all hours of the night crying and praying that I could “change” and become his innocent son he had before all of my sin. My dad has since stepped out of my life, because I would not “change” for him.

Same-sex marriage has become a very heated topic in the past couple of years. Proposition 8 passed in California to ban same-sex marriage. I believe this should be overturned and same-sex marriage should be federal law, because it is unconstitutional to restrict marriage equality. More and more states are becoming revolutionaries for America and becoming aware the restriction for same-sex couples to get married is wrong.

I feel that in the next decade, we will see marriage equality for all because the current generation is becoming more accepting of the issue.

Many of the arguments against same-sex marriage say homosexuals will bring upon the destruction of America because it a sinful act against God to simply be gay. Although Christianity is a popular religion in America, it does not rule our country or it’s law. Not all Christians believe homosexuality is wrong, and I hope these groups can bring awareness to the rest of the Christian faiths. America is a culture that is accepting of all walks of life, and we cannot allow one belief system to control our country.

Same-sex marriage is not restricting religious freedoms, because you can still have your opinion on homosexuals. Marriage equality gives the minority the equality they deserve to marry the one they love.

Your beliefs are your beliefs but they will not rule the way I live my life.

Homosexuals should be treated fairly because we are part of the culture and part of America. We will not let others strip our rights to marry because religious belief tells us we are sinful people.

Although I may never have a strong relationship with my dad because of his view on my sexual orientation, I hope that one day, he and the rest of America can realize a homosexual’s natural right to marry the same sex.

Reach columnist Alex Levi at [email protected]