I always considered the gay marriage ban nothing but a distraction used to rally fundamentalist voters to the polls, but states have been passing them independent of the federal government. There are many states that have considered and passed same-sex marriage bans, but California was surprising. It showed just how far away homosexuals are from receiving equal rights in this country. It’s okay to watch them on TV, but it’s not okay for them to enjoy the same rights other Americans do.

I never understood why so many fundamentalists made denying homosexuals rights their main goal. Did Jesus ever mention homosexuality? No. If you want to revert to the Old Testament, didn’t Jesus overturn many of those rules? If Leviticus is good enough reason to spew hatred at homosexuals, you should probably keep kosher. No more pork, I’m afraid.

Now that I’ve put that argument forward, I’ll move on to the American one. Two of the best and most innovative principles devised by our founding fathers are freedom of religion and the separation of church and state. The only reason I have ever found for people being against gay marriage is religion. This is not nearly justification enough to deny Americans equal rights. One person cannot force his or her belief on another. If your personal belief is that gay marriage is immoral or a choice, it’s okay because you are free to choose not to marry someone of the same sex. There is no reason for you to force your will that no homosexuals marry on others. We don’t have a state religion, we don’t force people to go to church on Sundays, and we shouldn’t deny Americans rights.

That’s why I mourn the passing of Proposition 8, as well as all the other bans. The history of America has been one of progress. Oppressed groups fight for years and years in order to get the basic rights everyone else in the country enjoys. History is not kind to those who try to block progress (unless you’re Strom Thurmond). I am amazed that we, as a country, have not learned from our past.

Gays and lesbians are just people who deserve to be treated that way.

Adam Feser