Saturday, July 04, 2009

Happy Fourth! Let Freedom (Of Marriage) Ring

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."

These are words contained in the Declaration of Independence signed on July 4, 1776. I find the words, "...the pursuit of happiness" of extreme importance when it comes to the efforts to attain the right to marry for same-sex couples. ALL men and women should be given their "certain unalienable rights" granted by "their Creator," including the right to marry whom they wish!

I'll never forget the words of Seth MacFarlane, the creator of several animated television shows, on Real Time With Bill Maher. I don't recall his exact words, but MacFarlane said something like this: Any group that has fought for its rights, has eventually gotten them. So why when it comes to the gay marriage, does there continue to be this fight against it. Gay marriage will eventually become reality. Instead of fighting it, embrace it, accept it, and move on. That has stuck in my mind ever since I hear MacFarlane say it.

We are slowly seeing gay marriage become a reality. There are six states now in which gay marriage is legal, and there will be more by year's end. NJ, which now has Civil Unions, I hope becomes one of the states that moves to full marriage rights for same-sex couples. (Am I getting married again? I have no idea! But if someone wants to, he/she should be allowed to). I've said it before, and I'll state it again: YOU DON'T HAVE TO AGREE WITH GAY MARRIAGE! YOU DON'T HAVE TO LIKE GAY MARRIAGE! BUT IT IS A RIGHT! ACCEPT THAT!

So HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY! LET FREEDOM RING!