It feels really weird to be proud of my state. Living in Kansas for six years, every time the politicians voted on something that had to do with rights (rights for women, gays, etc.) you knew how it was going to go. And it was shameful. Now that we are living in somewhat of a progressive state, it is nice to see them moving forward. Yesterday, the state passed a same-sex marriage bill and it will be signed into law today. So very, very proud. Before getting too far into this post, I am linking this article from the Daily Currant. The Daily Currant is political satire, so unfortunately this isn't true. If it were, Minnesota would be better off for it. Because she is an awful, awful person. Just awful.
Minnesota is the twelfth state in the country to pass a same sex marriage bill. Nine in the Northeast (basically all of New England), Washington, and Iowa. Iowa is a bit surprising to me based on where it is geographically. Washington D.C. also recognizes same sex marriage. Along with these states, the Coquille Indian Tribe (Oregon), the Suquamish Tribe (Washington State), and the Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians (Michigan) have recognized same sex marriage. Go us Natives! There are some states (New Jersey, Illinois) that recognize civil unions. Basically they are okay with gay people staying together and having rights, but not comfortable enough to use the phrase 'married'. That's just too weird I guess. I feel that civil unions being recognized by states were the stepping stones to the same sex marriage movement we are now witnessing in this country today. Without these civil union states, we may not have as much progress as we have now.
When you think about these twelve states passing this law, you think that this is great progress, and it is! However, in the world we live in now, you would think that there would be more. The population is becoming more accepting of alternative lifestyles, but there are the holdovers that yearn for the good ol' days. Days of women staying in the kitchen, men being sexists assholes all the time, and gays staying in the closet. Looking at states that have constitutional bans on same sex marriage, there are twenty five (TWENTY FIVE!). To no one's surprise, every state south and east of Kentucky has banned same sex marriage. Also the Midwest from Texas north to North Dakota. The Bible Belt and the Grain Belt. Sadly, my home state of Michigan falls into this category (shame on you Michigan!). Half of our country has told people that they are not allowed to marry those that they love. Is this as bad as Jim Crow Laws? No. But it's damn close. In the ratings of oppressive laws Jim Crow comes in at number 1 and banning gay marriage is 1A.
I know that the biggest argument opponents of gay marriage have is 'one man and one woman is marriage'. I know that traditionalist cannot see the present for they are blinded by the past. I know that change scares people. I also know that change can bring people together. I also know that the best way to move forward is to look to the past and the mistakes that have been made. I also know that love knows no gender. Love is love and marriage is just a word and a piece of paper.
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