For some time now, I have been a supporter of gay rights, especially gay marriage. While I myself am not homosexual, I do know several homosexual and bisexual people, some of whom are in happy relationships. I believe they, like everyone else, should have the right to marry whomever they want.

Just like one of my closest friends, who is a supporter of gay marriage as well, I have never understood the opposition to this matter. Rights are rights, no matter who the person is, and something like gay marriage should not be debated as it is.

Like one of my close heterosexual female friends said, in America, we citizens have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Since marriage is what makes some people happy, then go for it, it’s really not that big of a deal.

Of course, there are those folks who say that if gays are given the right to marry, it will “destroy the sanctity of marriage.” I think that argument is illogical and completely wrong. Marriage cannot have sanctity when celebrities are allowed to spend millions of dollars on their weddings, and have their marriage last 72 days. That just doesn’t sit well with me when those celebrities can do that, but two gay people who love each other cannot get married.

I agree with what another one of my friends, who is bisexual, said to me about those who think gay marriage will destroy the sanctity of marriage: “If these people insist on preserving the sanctity of marriage, perhaps they should concern themselves with divorce, which literally splits households apart, instead of uniting them.” 

I know first hand that divorce divides the family up, and can make life difficult for the child; my parents divorced when I was a year-and-a-half old, and as I was growing up, I had to divide my time between both of their homes in order to make sure each parent got to see me for the same amount of time.

Then, there are the people who are against gay marriage because of their religious beliefs. While I’m all for respecting people’s religious beliefs, I think that denying other people civil rights because of your religious beliefs is bigotry. Also, why should gay couples’ civil rights be dictated by other folks’ interpretation of the Bible they choose to believe in?

Like another friend of mine, who is gay, and in a homosexual relationship, said, “Marriage is a civil right, (it’s) not exclusive to some religions.” I totally agree with this. If someone is opposed to gay marriage simply because of their religious beliefs, and nothing more, that’s like being mad at someone for eating a doughnut in front of you because you’re on a diet. Since this country is not dictated by a theocracy, I do not think it is relevant for religion to play a role in deciding if gay people should be allowed to marry.

I think the only way something can be done about legalizing gay marriage for all people in America is if the federal government gets involved. I have seen the state-to-state decisions on gay marriage, and I do not think they are working well; thousands of happy couples are still being denied to marry the ones they love, which is denying them a civil right.

While we all do not agree on this matter in particular, I think we can all agree on one thing: everyone has the right to be happy. If everyone is going to have this right, then gay marriage needs to be legalized everywhere in order to allow everyone the right to be happy with the one they love, regardless of gender.

Note: The names of the people mentioned in this column were left out to protect their identities and maintain their confidentiality.