The Fight for Gay Marriage

The fight for the national acceptance of gay marriage has been going on much longer than most are aware. This fight has been overshadowed by other larger movements, and until recently, has been a very hushed topic. Within the past decade, gay members of every society have risen above hatred and fear and have taken a stand for their own rights. More people fighting for a cause equals more coverage of the cause, thus causing more people to take notice.

Gay people have been around since the beginning of time, most were just silenced by hatred and shame. The fear of being harmed psychically outweighed their desire to come together and demand change. Most gay people were very much "in the closet" until recently, having no one to turn to, and no way of knowing which of their peers also shared their same sexuality. The movements of recent that allow gay people more protection and the form of organizations have given them a universal voice.

Gay people have most certainly evolved into more open people, who are willing to be outwardly proud of who they are, but isn't this true of every minority group? It took African Americans a long time to be considered equals, but together they accomplished what they rightfully deserved, national acceptance of who they were and the same rights as every other man and woman who inhabit the United States.

It is not that gay people never considered themselves deserving of the right to marriage, it's just that it has taken considerable time for them to be heard. Slaves never considered themselves deserving of their fate, but they were oppressed by the masses. Only when they came together and fought for their rights did anyone finally start to listen. Their right of passage was not by any means an easy or short one, but in time acceptance came. This is not to say that everyone sees African Americans as equals, they still face discrimination and hatred, as do almost all minorities.