It's just been about 45 years since the Stonewall Riots marked the beginning of a movement to grant homosexuals the same rights as all other Americans. Since then, much has been accomplished -- but much more needs to be done. The two main issues facing us right now are equality in the workplace (so no one can be fired just because of their sexual orientation) and equal marriage rights (giving same-sex couples the same rights and privileges granted to opposite-sex couples).And the battles, especially on the marriage front, are being won in a fast and furious fashion these days. It seems that every week marks another victory for same-sex marriage rights. Last week, the same-sex marriage ban in Colorado was tossed out by a federal judge for violating the Constitution -- and a couple of weeks ago the same thing happened in Kentucky. This week it's Florida.
Last Thursday, Monroe County Circuit Judge Luis Garcia overturned Florida's ban on same-sex marriages. Judge Garcia said:
“The court is aware that the majority of voters oppose same-sex marriage, but it is our country’s proud history to protect the rights of the individual, the rights of the unpopular, and rights of the powerless, even at the cost of offending the majority.”
Judge Garcia is right. Equal rights under the law are guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution, no matter what the majority of citizens in any state may think. I think it's time for the Supreme Court to stop dodging this issue, and demand that every state obey the Constitution -- ensuring that same-sex couples are given the same rights and privileges currently reserved for opposite-sex couples. No state has a legitimate interest in denying equal rights to any of its citizens.
