Student calls country 'backwards,' protests California ban on gay marriage

11/07/08 - To the Cigar,

I love how Tuesday Americans made history by voting the first black president into office, and then at the same time, with the same hand, banned gay marriage in California and other states (Arizona, Florida).

This country is so backwards. My heart goes out to the gay California couples.

They were finally given equal rights as human beings, just to have their neighbors actually vote to take them away. How cruel can people be, really... nothing terrible happened when they were allowed to marry, they weren't hurting anyone, the world didn't end. And correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure I didn't see Jesus descend to punish the wicked Christians of California for tolerating equality.

So how can you justify voting to take away basic rights of a minority (without quoting the Bible)?

No really. If anyone has an answer to this, please let me know. Because I actually can't think of any.

Not one.

Just when I thought things were looking up, I am once again disappointed and embarrassed by my country. In the words of President-elect Barack Obama: "If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer."

Well for now, I guess for some people, the possibility of feeling like an equal in your own country is too much to ask.



Stacey Valli