Although the Supreme Court has already ruled the anti-sodomy laws unconstitutional due to the recent decision in Lawrence vs. Texas, we Americans need to update our attitudes and allow them to reshape to the new ideas of the age we live in.
Yes, sodomy is different, but when did we start punishing people for being different? Times have changed.
While legally gays are now permitted to practice sodomy, our attitudes are still back in the past and must blast to conform to the transition.
The United States uses the words “rights” and “liberties” like currency to throw every which way just to shore up the façade that we project. The reality is that homosexuals were not treated equally and still are made to feel ashamed for who they are.
Homosexuals aren’t allowed to marry in states other than Hawaii, although, according to a recent article in Newsweek, Vermont allows civil unions. Two of our 50 states are making improvements, how about the rest of them?
So the court has ruled though it should’ve happened long ago. But what still needs to change are Americans attitudes. Some Americans still see gays as a disgrace, but these attitudes have to modify if Americans want to support the virtues our country was built upon.
What once was still lives on as a reminder of the homophobic attitudes that once lived in the minds of many Americans who still reside there today.
We preach about equality and everyone being treated equally. What are we to do when laws change to provide comfort for those of us who are different but there are still people who are keen to dismiss new views?
Tell me, if you were to look at a picture of two men, all you’d see are two men. But adding crude words can build a new, harmful frame of mind.
I don’t remember a time when loving someone was a crime, and it never should be when love is scarce enough in this world.
RACHEL ROTHSTEIN, 15, is a student at Wyoming High School.
This article appears in Sep 17-23, 2003.