Written by Megan Vogt | Staff Writer
“Oh, so you don’t support gay marriage? Tell me more about how it directly affects your life.”
Today has been a very interesting day in the life of a liberal. Considering it is an election year, Obama took a very risky stance. After the December 2010 speech where Obama stated that his position on same-sex marriage was still evolving (trying to put off the subject,) today he was put in a tricky place. After North Carolina has officially passed a law banning same-sex marriage, Obama came out strong stating that he was all for same-sex marriage. Obama is officially the first U.S president to publicly state that he supports gay marriage.
In the Good Morning America episode from Wednesday morning, Obama states that he came to the conclusion after going out in the community to talk about the issue with people who deal with the problem on a daily basis. Why don’t others do this? Would you be able to look a gay couple in the eye and tell them they couldn’t be on the same insurance after the heterosexual couple down the street has it? Has anyone heard of equal treatment and equal partnership? As Obama stated with the help of the first lady, “In the end, the values that I care most deeply about and [Mrs.Obama] cares most deeply about is how we treat other people.”
Does this issue always have to come back to the issue of religion and God’s views? What’s the difference between a male and female in a sacred relationship and the difference between a male and male in a secular relationship?
As a Christian, it is hard to think about what God really thinks about homosexuality, but when it comes down to it, I am not the judge of others’ lives. I should not be the one deciding what is right and what is wrong. I cannot be the one to deny others their freedom and tell them what is “normal.” Are any of us really “normal?” We have all done things which God does not define as holy.
These couples are no less human, no less American, or any less Christian than you or I for their relationship choices. Gay marriage is not going to ruin your “sacred” relationship. It is up to the couple, not the choices of the government.
Today, I feel great to be an Iowan. Here, where gay marriage is legal, it has not made my life any worse or harmed me in any way. Marriage is a choice, not a requirement. I cannot tell anyone what to do, nor should anyone else be able to.
Always remember: where there is a will, there is a way. Good luck to the LGBT community of North Carolina on their fight! You have one more person on your side.
