Response to: "Same-Sex Marriage...Not a "Political" Issue"

            I read the article titled “Same-Sex Marriage…Not a “Political” Issue” that was posted on the blog, “Texas Government-Summer 2014.” First of all, I disagree with the author of this blog that the “issue of same-sex marriage does not need to be a government issue.” The author stated in this article: “I would prefer for elected officials to dedicate their time to dealing with issues that significantly impact the majority of citizens.” Actually, the issue of same-sex marriage greatly impacts the majority of citizens and most definitely should be a government issue.

            The fourteenth amendment, ratified in 1868, guaranteed citizenship to all former slaves.  Although African American’s did not account for the majority of citizens, equal treatment of the group is an issue that has affected everybody, regardless of their race or heritage.  The term “equality” has tremendous implications; it provides everyone with the same opportunity to achieve their goals.  Just because African Americans are among the minority doesn’t mean equal treatment of them isn’t important.  Similarly, equal treatment of women as citizens of the United States, as outlined in the 19^th amendment, is an issue that has had reverberating effects among the entire population.  America was founded on the idea of Democracy; that all people possess the right to have their voices heard, to be treated equally, and to have equal rights as citizens.  The fight for African Americans and women to gain equal rights as citizens should not be underappreciated, for it is movements like those that guarantee equality now, regardless of race or color.  Anything that is a threat to the equality of all U.S. citizens, including the issue of gay-marriage, should most certainly be a government issue.

            On the other hand, I agree with the blogger’s analysis that same-sex couples “are not adding to the issue of overpopulation and they are providing loving homes for children who otherwise might not have one.”  There are so many children that need a loving home. It is ridiculous to suggest that growing up in the system is better than being adopted by a same-sex couple.  Additionally, same-sex couples could be more able to adopt and would be more financially stable if they were allowed the same rights as any other married couple.

            Furthermore, I feel that separation of the church and the state is a very important principal that our country was founded upon.  Resistance to equal treatment of same-sex couples reeks of religious influence.  It is vital that the separation of church and state is maintained in order to snub out this current societal discrimination against the gay and lesbian community. 

            Gays and lesbians are citizens, too.  They deserve the same right that African Americans and women alike fought so hard for; equal treatment as citizens of the United States of America.  You would think that after the fight for racial and gender equality in our country, equality among all different groups of sexual orientations would be a no-brainer.  Unfortunately, though, this is not the case.  It is because of this that equality should always be considered to be at the forefront of all important government issues facing the diverse citizens of the United States of America.