The Meaning of Love
by Krysti Janusz
Once upon a time there was a world that believed John Lennon when he said, "All you need is love." But now, in the post-Beatlemania days, we live in a time of controversy and discrimination, a time when others have a say in what love can and cannot be, a time when love is no longer all you need. In the land of opportunity where women and African Americans have the right to vote, and religion is chosen and not enforced, America's youth are raised to chase their dreams and follow their hearts... that is unless they're homosexual. In this case, other countries around the world have passed the U.S, the so-called 'land of opportunity,' in terms of guaranteeing equal rights for all citizens, no matter their sexual orientation.
The controversy in the United States arises from the discrepancy between state and federal recognition over same-sex marriages. Currently Massachusetts is the only U.S. state to legally recognize a same-sex marriage. There are five states - New Jersey, New Hampshire, California, Connecticut, and Vermont — that recognize legal unions created between two members of the same sex. Hawaii, Maine, Oregon, Washington, and the District of Columbia recognize "subsets" of what they legally recognize in a heterosexual marriage. While these individual states seem to be taking a step towards the direction of homosexual equality, there has been absolutely no progress towards recognition of same-sex marriages and unions on the federal level. The federal recognition of a marriage is the key component in guaranteeing two individuals the benefits and rights involved in this proclamation of love. Without the federal government's "approval" of the marriage, homosexual couples are not warranted all the rights and benefits heterosexual couples receive.
These rights range from the well-known benefits of healthcare and social security to the less known of making medical decisions when spouses are incapable of doing so themselves. Alongside what is referred to as the "practical" reasons for forging a marriage, financial grievances are also of major concern due to the fact that such options as joint-insurance policies and the assurance of credit protection are certain legal liberties that same-sex couples are not granted equal access to.
The goal of sexual orientation equality is further undermined by an amendment that was made to the United States Constitution under the Clinton administration that defines marriage as "the union between a man and a woman." Since this amendment has been ridiculed by same-sex marriage advocates, President Bush has since counter-acted with a speech devoted to what he calls "the preservation of marriage."
President Bush goes on to define marriage and its importance: "The union of a man and woman is the most enduring human institution, honored and encouraged in all cultures and by every religious faith...marriage cannot be severed from its cultural, religious and natural roots without weakening the good influence of society. Government, by recognizing and protecting marriage, serves the interests of all." Who then comprises this "all" that President Bush claims to represent? "All" is definitive of the whole United States and not just the segments of society that our leadership is comfortable acknowledging. Here lies the problem; there will never be equal opportunity for all when not everyone is accounted for.
There is a light at the end of the tunnel as the world begins to once again believe that "all you need is love." In Canada, Belgium, Spain, South Africa and the Netherlands, same-sex marriage has come to be legally recognized. Even though they are small in number, this legalization has sparked debate concerning the recognition of same-sex marriages in over 20 other countries. In particular, the legal recognition of same-sex marriage in Canada has put a further strain on the American debate due to its close proximity and years of recognizing and respecting marriages legalized across the American-Canadian border.
President Bush concluded his speech against same-sex marriages with this seemingly patriotic summation: "America is a free society, which limits the role of government in the lives of our citizens. This commitment of freedom, however, does not require the redefinition of one of our most basic social institutions. Our government should respect every person, and protect the institution of marriage. There is no contradiction between these responsibilities." Redefinition is what ended slavery, dissolved segregation, and empowered women's suffrage. Redefinition is the American dream at its finest and it is the answer to achieving the progress so many other countries have managed to make in the effort to truly achieve equal rights for all.
