Five years ago I was sitting at a dinner table with an older, conservative crowd of family friends when the topic of same-sex marriage was brought up. I added my thoughts to the discussion with the best example of recent history I could muster up at that time. I said, “Less than sixty years ago, whites and non-whites were not allowed to marry in this country due to anti-miscegenation laws. So when I think about same-sex marriage, it is not a matter of whether it will be passed, but when. It is inevitable.” I was met with a silent response and awkward glances sent around the table.
There were a number of whirlwind news reports last week: A certain “high-end” grocery store was under fire for price gouging, Anti-vaxxers lost (in California), Universal Healthcare won, Housing Equality won, progress for women who are pro-choice (in Kansas). On Friday morning, my news feed lit up with news reports that would have fit perfectly with the liberal-left leaning views of my University newspaper years ago when Proposition 8 was ruled unconstitutional in California. The only difference was that the source of this news was being generated from the Supreme Court of the U.S.A. in Our Nation's Capital. Same-sex marriage is now legal across all fifty states.
The United States has taken its time to get on the bandwagon for this important human rights issue. Several countries in the European Union and Canada have already passed their own similar laws regarding same-sex marriage. Regardless, this is a major landmark given the United State's global influence on issues.
How Does This Topic Relate to Webcomics?
The majority of webcomics I have read over the last decade have been forward-thinking in their subject matter. There are several popular webcomics online and here on Drunk Duck that have featured same-sex couple romance in their storyline. It has become so commonplace that same-sex relationships are viewed as equal as heterosexual relationships.
The turn of the tide did not happen because a few government officials in power decided to make history last week. There has been a cultural shift in the way this country and the rest of the world views same-sex marriage because of each television show, movie, and comic book that features characters in a same-sex relationship. Pop culture has played a humongous role in influencing public opinion.
I do not expect everyone who reads this article to agree with me. In fact, I know everyone is not on the same page with this issue. I happen to be fortunate enough to live in a country where the citizens are free to disagree on controversial issues and not get persecuted for their beliefs. And that is the main reason why the passage of a law that reflects Human Rights is so important today.
So throw your hands up in the air. Understand that all humans are entitled to be treated with respect, and that a larger percentage of the population is no longer ostracized for loving who they love. Celebrate today's Progress for a happier, healthier, and more enlightened tomorrow.
MILESTONES
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The Times They Are A-Changin'
kawaiidaigakusei at 12:00AM, June 29, 2015
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usedbooks at 3:21PM, July 1, 2015
A victory for any oppressed group is a victory. I've been chuckling at reading journal entries from the 1850s from a wealthy plantation owner. He was complaining about "Universal Suffrage" and how it was ruining the country. It took me a moment to realize his context. The "Universal Suffrage" to which he referred was giving the vote to non-landowners in addition to the landowners who already held it. That was it. To this man, only rich white males should vote. Allowing poor white males to also vote -- UNIVERSAL suffrage, would destroy the country. Given 100 years, the definition of universal really expanded.
Gunwallace at 8:25PM, June 29, 2015
Sure, but the push-back has already begun in some States, and like abortion there are ways of making something difficult to obtain without overturning a Supreme Court decision. Texas, in both cases, is a shining example. The rules they have passed in regards to abortion have effectively closed down most clinics. They are already trying to wriggle out of giving licenses. A move to the right, electorally, will only make these attempts to circumvent the laws more brazen.
bravo1102 at 2:01PM, June 29, 2015
Fortunately the Supreme Court and US Constitution doesn't quite work like that. Look how long they've tried to overturn Roe v. Wade and that was far worse constitutional case law than this decision. It'll stand through election after election the same as abortion. Lots of screaming and hair pulling but no changes.
Gunwallace at 12:30PM, June 29, 2015
While it's time to celebrate and so appropriate to use the words of Bob Dylan, I fear that after the 2016 election in the US you may need to use the words of the Bob Roberts' version, The Times They Are A Changin' Back. (Great film. I watch it every US election cycle.)
bravo1102 at 10:04AM, June 29, 2015
When we were working for civil unions last century we never imagined gay marriage! It''s truly beyond words for me. Hallelujah the day of jubilee is here.
fallopiancrusader at 6:44AM, June 29, 2015
I spent my pride weekend at the NYC gay pride parade, which was very moving for me. After 3000 years of being burned at the stake, I am honored to be able to bear witness to the emancipation of our people in my lifetime.
bravo1102 at 6:17AM, June 29, 2015
Shariah law wirks wondefrilly for believers . It is only apostates and lawbreakers who have difficulties with it.
usedbooks at 5:06AM, June 29, 2015
I'm happy for equal rights and support. I'm also happy the Constitution holds up to ensure we are not a theocracy nor have a state religion. Our forefathers would roll in their graves to see any church dictating law. (I wonder what would happen if the ruling had gone the other way, and then some magistrate started denying marriage certificates based on age or fertility or religion due to his own religious beliefs... Sorry, only scientologists can be married and only on Tuesdays) Anyway, it's good to not be embarrassed by our elected/appointed officials. I don't want to live in a country with morality police. It hasn't worked out so well in the Middle East.
KimLuster at 4:40AM, June 29, 2015
Concerning the representation of same-sex stuff here on DD, I've read (trying to find where) that a disproportionate number of artistic types (singers, actors, artists...) are gay and/or more accepting of homosexuality, along with just being more receptive of things sexual in general. The insinuation was that Creative minds are just more 'open', more likely to think and do outside the box, so to speak... While 'tags' like that bug me a bit, I do think this is likely true!
KimLuster at 4:33AM, June 29, 2015
Yes it's about time! Of course, now that same-sex couples can marry, they also can experience the joys of divorce, custody fights, property disputes, etc... :D I'm being a little facetious - actually all those are good things... That's exactly the point! Being unable to marry, one of the partners often could not have any legal claim to anything about the other, no matter how long they'd lived together or how much they contributed to the partnership!
Ozoneocean at 2:43AM, June 29, 2015
Great newspost Kawaii! :D
Stellar at 12:26AM, June 29, 2015
I rejoiced appropriately =D I hope many others spent their pride weekend extra prideful after the Supreme Court's verdict on Friday~