Who Do You Love?

     In 1970 one year after the legendary Stonewall Riots two men, law student Richard Baker and librarian James McConnell had applied for a marriage license in Minnesota. Clerk Gerald Nelson rejected their application because they were a same-sex couple. Baker and McConnell appealed, but the state Supreme Court affirmed the trial judge’s decision in 1971 in Baker v. Nelson. When the couple appealed yet again, the U.S. Supreme Court in 1972 declined to hear the case this ruling effectively blocked federal courts from ruling on same-sex marriage for decades, leaving the decision solely in the hands of states. In 1973, Maryland became the first state to create a law that explicitly defines marriage as a union between a man and woman, a belief held by many conservative religious groups and other states quickly followed suit.               

    What is marriage? Marriage establishes rights and obligations between significant others.The institution of marriage also houses and supports several distinct aspects of human life such as sexual relations, friendship and companionship, love, conversation, procreation and child-rearing, mutual responsibility. Married people also get plenty of government benefits such as favorable treatment in tax, insurance status, rights in adoption and custody etc.

    The LGBTQ+ community have been fighting for their rights since the very beginning. No matter the preference everyone should be allowed to get married to their significant other to celebrate their love and live their life the way traditional couples do with all the benefits. Same sex marriage does not weaken the meaning of marriage because at the end of the day love is love.