New York Will Have Same-Sex Marriage

I was leaving Yankee Stadium last night when I saw that New York State passed a bill allowing same marriage. From what I've read, couples can get married as soon as the end of July.

My first thought upon hearing the news was joy. I am happy for all those people who have committed their lives to another person who now have the opportunity to have their love recognized. While I lean to the left politically and believe strongly that same-sex marriage should be allowed (I don't like allowed, and encouraged isn't the right word), I have friends (gay, straight, pansexual... whathaveyou) that have been more invested in this process than I... and to those, my heart could not go out more. I am thrilled that their voices have been heard and that two people can share their love (...and the same benefits of marriage as intergender couples).

I understand why people fear that which they do not understand. The unknown is an incredibly scary thing. But in the world in which we live now, for people to be so hateful... so hurtful... that, I do not understand. To love someone of the same sex does not make you un-American. People deserve the right to be proud to be who they are.

I also don't understand those who use religion as the reason they stand against same-sex marriage. While I am by no means religious or a theologist, if you asked me two tenets of most religions I'd say: (1) Act the way to others the same way you'd like them to act to you... and (2) Love one another.

In the simpliest of terms in the brotherhood and sisterhood of (hu)man(ity), we have to be true to one another. The history books have shown throughout the ages that the majority will nearly always exert control over the minority. Unfortunately we still live in a world full of racism, sexism, ageism, and a whole lot of other-isms... I'm not saying we as people will be able to love everybody, but I'd like to be able to say that I've made a decision about another person based on who they are, not what I (think I)see.

Love is a powerful thing. Whether or not this bill passed, same-sex couples would have continued to love each other. Not a whole lot has changed, regardless of where you stood on this issue. I'm sure a game of frisbee in Central Park felts the same today as it would have yesterday. But, yesterday... today, tomorrow... and through the future, we celebrate the opportunity to celebrate the love our friends and family share regardless of what we see with our eyes.

It's what we feel with our hearts that matter most.