Gay marriage a civil right

And it looks as if the day has almost arrived.\nOn Tuesday, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled 4-3, striking down the state's ban on same-sex marriages.\nAnd what a step it was. Taking the reigns away from the state of Vermont, who in 1999 allowed for same-sex "civil unions," the state of Massachusetts ruled that such a title "falls short of marriage." \nAnd right it is.\nDuring this summer's deluge of Supreme Court rulings, we found one small victory had been won when all sodomy laws became federally unconstitutional. And while we reveled in civil rights success, we understood it was but a small shuffle in a marathon of civil suits to come. So long as same-sex marriage remained "on the books," true civil rights for the gay community could not be achieved. \n Whether it be employment benefits that one can only apply to another's "spouse" or simply having to make the distinction when filing one's taxes, without the same constitutional legitimacy granted to heterosexual marriages, gay unions have frankly been regarded as second class relationships. By mandating that the legislature make use of the title of "marriage," the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court has recognized this fundamental road block in the gay community's trek toward full participation in American society.\nBut it's just a word, many people say. If something along the lines of "civil unions" will give same-sex couples a few rights, then it should be enough.\nNever.\nWe should not make allowances for society's inability to come to terms with the simple fact that the gay community matters in America. They are a part of America and -- religious substructure aside -- we must move toward a nation that does not bow down to a text that makes distinctions between the inherent value of our citizens. Our laws abide a text that states all are equal.\nIn the steeple, let the individual deny rights as they please. \nIn the courthouse, we should let no such practice take place.\nIt is a shame that in a CNN Gallup poll last month, only slightly more than a third of Americans show an interest in allowing gay marriage a national trend. More depressing still is the fact that what could possibly reveal an ounce of valor and fortitude in our presidential candidates will not become an issue in the 2004 race.\nAccording to Democratic National Committee Chairman Terry McAuliffe, "As Dick Cheney said in the 2000 campaign, these types of issues ought to be dealt with by state legislatures." \nAnd it's no wonder why the young don't vote. If we felt our candidates stood for national principles rather than reflections of poll results, maybe we'd care. For now though, we must wait for more courageous state judiciaries and legislatures who will move to make right by the gay community. \nWe should do our part to let our representatives know we weren't polled, and we do care.\nTuesday stood as a victory in a long war to come.