Say “I do”

Eleven states in the United States say “I do” to same-sex marriage. If the remaining thirty-nine states echo the same thing, the United States will become the 13th nation globally to approve same-sex marriage. Countries like the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal and nine others have already legalized same-sex marriage and are leading the way for the rest of the world to follow.

Well there are some nations which are debating the issue on same-sex marriage and this gives us hope that indeed it will be legally approved in these countries. What about those that ban any kind of same-sex activity in the first place. When are they going to recognize the LGBT community, and at least begin to discuss about their rights.

Every nation boasts about its human rights and civil rights laws. But when we don't recognize the sexual orientation of a community, these laws are mere paralyzed words which are written to only look good on paper.

Why do we have to leave the decision of a person's sexual orientation in the hands of a few straight people in authority. Who is anyone to decide whether their sexual orientation is right or wrong. For the United States to have a unanimous decision, it takes 50 state authorities controlled by a few straight people to say I-do before it is approved. So now we also want to control a person’s right to be who he/she naturally is. It’s even more chaotic when one state legalizes same-sex marriage, and then a few miles away from there, in another state, the LGBT community is asked to seek religious or medical intervention to straighten up. How absurd is that!

In the recent poll conducted by ABC News and the Washington Post, more than half Americans support same-sex marriage and the support only seems to be growing. This indeed is good news.

Around the world, the LGBT community is not only fighting a political battle but also a religious one. In April this year, Uruguay, New Zealand and France recognized same-sex marriage. Even a month back, two states in the US—Delaware and Rhode Island—approved same-sex marriage. Minnesota likely will approve it soon. It’s all about speaking out. It's like this domino effect.

Back in the day President Clinton signed the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) that defines marriage is between a man and a woman. After over seventeen years today Clinton says he was wrong and calls for striking down the act. I don't really want to get into the context of politics in this sudden change in tune on gay marriage. True that it's never too late to accept your mistake, but what took Clinton so-so long.

I disagree when people say the LGBT community has evolved over the years and the administration needs to change with changing times. The truth is, the LGBT community never evolved. They always existed. It's only that they didn't come out and speak so freely about it for fear of being ridiculed in society.

What does the man on the street have to say about it? I went to find out. Listen to it here. Click link

Post script:
Changing track to something completely different…does anyone know where Kim Jong Un is these days?  I don’t see him occupy the cartoon section of any print or electronic media. Why? :-)