Legalization of gay marriage continues to grow
Written by Shelby Barker, Former Student on Tuesday, November 19, 2013
The state of Hawaii officially became the 16 state in the U.S. to legalize gay marriage on November 13 following Illinois who started issuing gay marriage licenses November 5. Members of the Gay/Straight Alliance club at SHS were happy to hear the great news. “I hope all of the states will eventually pass gay marriage,” said Senior Laura Nelson, the president of GSA.
Hawaii’s bill was signed by Governor Neil Abercrombie in Honolulu. This bill represents a lot for the gay community, because Hawaii is well-known as the state where the fight for gay marriage first began in 1990 when same-sex couples applied for a marriage license and where denied due to the fact that they were homosexual.
The future is looking bright for the gay/lesbian community in the U.S. GSA members believe that the acceptance of gay, lesbian, transgender and Bi-sexual Americans is becoming a more wide-spread trend among America’s newest generation. “Laws help, but it’s getting to the point where everyone has become so accepting now that you don’t necessarily need the laws to change,” says GSA member Jacqylyn Rogers.
GSA members are proud to live in the state of Washington, being one of the first states to legalize gay marriage in the U.S. on December 6, 2012. To see the change so close to home makes members feel optimistic about societies’ future. “You can’t really wish for much more, because it’s already begun,” said Rogers.
The next state to legalize same-sex marriage will most likely be Indiana with their bill currently waiting for vote, it is most likely to pass, changing their state’s constitution giving gays equal rights.
