Bisera Rozic is a DePaul University student majoring in Economics and a PCG intern.
It is still unbelievable that in 2012, same-sex marriage is illegal in most states in the U.S. This year marks 39 years since the American Psychiatric Association declared that homosexuality was not a disease. In 1973, the APA changed its definition of sexual deviance with 81 Words, and while a lot has changed since then, equality is still nonexistent for the LGBTQ community. It took 30 years since then for a state to legalize same-sex marriage in the United States when, finally, Massachusetts passed the groundbreaking law; however, today only 6 states allow same-sex marriage, 9 allow some form of spousal rights such as civil unions or domestic partnerships. This means that in the other 35 states, same-sex couples do not have the right to a partnership, a civil union, let alone marriage. For 39 years, we have known that homosexuality is not a disease and only 15 states are, for the most part, on board with this.
Since his announcement, we have seen an increase in well known people coming out in support of same-sex marriage. Jay-Z came out in support of President Obama's announcement telling CNN's Poppy Harlow, "I've always thought it as something that was still, um, holding the country back". The hip hop community has not been very friendly to the LGBTQ community, especially having lyrics that include homophobia among other things. This is why President Obama's announcement means so much. It led to a rapper coming out in support of gay rights. Floyd Mayweather Jr. also came out in support of President Obama's announcement by posting on his Twitter, "I stand behind President Obama & support gay marriage. I'm an American citizen & I believe people should live their life the way they want". This was important because the sports world has not been very supportive of gay rights either. This is why the announcement is huge.
President Obama's support of the LGBTQ community has been evident throughout his term thus far. His administration is the first administration to fight for the rights of the community by signing into law a memorandum which granted federal benefits to government employees that are in same-sex partnerships, inclusion of the LGBTQ community in the non-discrimination act, hospitalization rights, and the repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell. These all serve as evidence of the President's support for equality, but it is different to hear a sitting president say those words. It's a way of saying to a bully on the playground, "this is my buddy, I got his back". Imagine all the kids he has saved just by saying he supports them. That announcement gave them the hope, the courage, the sense of belonging that they did not have before. This is the most the LGBTQ community has achieved in such a short time. This is what progress looks like.
It is still unbelievable that in 2012, same-sex marriage is illegal in most states in the U.S. This year marks 39 years since the American Psychiatric Association declared that homosexuality was not a disease. In 1973, the APA changed its definition of sexual deviance with 81 Words, and while a lot has changed since then, equality is still nonexistent for the LGBTQ community. It took 30 years since then for a state to legalize same-sex marriage in the United States when, finally, Massachusetts passed the groundbreaking law; however, today only 6 states allow same-sex marriage, 9 allow some form of spousal rights such as civil unions or domestic partnerships. This means that in the other 35 states, same-sex couples do not have the right to a partnership, a civil union, let alone marriage. For 39 years, we have known that homosexuality is not a disease and only 15 states are, for the most part, on board with this.
Since his announcement, we have seen an increase in well known people coming out in support of same-sex marriage. Jay-Z came out in support of President Obama's announcement telling CNN's Poppy Harlow, "I've always thought it as something that was still, um, holding the country back". The hip hop community has not been very friendly to the LGBTQ community, especially having lyrics that include homophobia among other things. This is why President Obama's announcement means so much. It led to a rapper coming out in support of gay rights. Floyd Mayweather Jr. also came out in support of President Obama's announcement by posting on his Twitter, "I stand behind President Obama & support gay marriage. I'm an American citizen & I believe people should live their life the way they want". This was important because the sports world has not been very supportive of gay rights either. This is why the announcement is huge.
President Obama's support of the LGBTQ community has been evident throughout his term thus far. His administration is the first administration to fight for the rights of the community by signing into law a memorandum which granted federal benefits to government employees that are in same-sex partnerships, inclusion of the LGBTQ community in the non-discrimination act, hospitalization rights, and the repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell. These all serve as evidence of the President's support for equality, but it is different to hear a sitting president say those words. It's a way of saying to a bully on the playground, "this is my buddy, I got his back". Imagine all the kids he has saved just by saying he supports them. That announcement gave them the hope, the courage, the sense of belonging that they did not have before. This is the most the LGBTQ community has achieved in such a short time. This is what progress looks like.
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