Alfredo Aparicio/Staff Writer
Jeff Chiu/AP Images
We have all heard that “Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,” is mentioned in the U.S. Declaration of Independence, but for same-sex couples, the pursuit of happiness has been a difficult one. Now, there is a ray of hope.
On Feb. 7, for the ninth circuit, the United States Court of Appeals ruled Proposition 8, which bans same-sex marriages in California as unconstitutional by saying it serves no purpose other than to “lessen the status and human dignity of gays.”
Not a leap, but a step nonetheless. “It was such a great feeling to know it wasn’t approved, but I don’t think the fight is over. It’s a huge step but there’s still a lot left to do,” shared Gabriella Lopez, a junior English and drama double major. “We are getting there and it’s helpful for everyone that’s against it.”
Lopez, who first learned about Proposition 8 through the NOH8 celebrity campaign, thought it was great to see that something was being done to not get it passed. “I thought it was ridiculous,” said Lopez.
For Noel Rodriguez, a junior English major, the passing of Proposition 8 put a damper on election night back in 2008.
“It was a bittersweet moment for me because, while it was a positive experience seeing Obama elected, the fact that the rights of people were being taken away in our country was discouraging.”
However, the small victory in California has given him hope, even if the road to the Supreme Court is still spotty at best.
“It’s set a precedent for other cases that will go before the court. If that one was ruled unconstitutional then it’s easier for similar cases to be ruled the same way as well. Yet, the current Supreme Court is very conservative, so their decision worries me.
I would like it to apply to the entire nation because our state [Florida] is nowhere near as close to others, nor do we have a good democratic stance to push it forward.”
Anthony Vasall, a junior, chemistry major, recognizes the decision as a positive one but admits the danger isn’t over. “It’s encouraging to see that we are making progress, and it’s a slow process, but it’s happening and it feels good to see. At the same time, there are groups working to refute that decision and it’s a crucial moment for progress.”
Vasall also commented that the decision recognizes the separation of church and state that the U.S. was built upon. “I think it’s unconstitutional. I think it is ridiculous because we are normal people. We go to the bank and go grocery shopping and we have families. It is a great stride to making everyone equal.”
Rodriguez said, “There’s a huge component of religion in Proposition 8 that should be separate and the lawyers against it broke down every single argument that was said.”
“I couldn’t have been more shocked at California’s decision to pass Proposition 8, especially after having read articles stating that westerners were more liberal.
It was disappointing to see the side of the U.S. that’s supposed to bring equality and social liberation was passing this,” said Adriana Cavero, a senior, education major.
Cavero sees the decision as a generational shift between the present generation and the past ones. “I have always called this generation ‘Generation Cool.’ From what I have seen here on campus, people are re-evaluating what they’re being spoon feed and becoming more active.”
“Our generation is obviously more open to it, but I think that in the past 15 years, Americans have become more open to gay marriage,” shared Gianni Cruz, a freshman, international relations major. “I am pro civil rights and everyone should be able to marry no matter what.”
Rodriguez is also aware of the positive attitudes forming around the subject of gay marriage and gay rights in general.
“I think a lot of campaigns like ‘It Gets Better’ have opened more eyes, but I think the immediate effect is acceptance, not so much productivity. Once you accept and know what’s wrong in the community, it will push you to be active in the community,” said Rodriguez. “There’s a lot more grass-roots effort for politicians to put their words into action than before.”
Like Rodriguez, Vasall wants his political representation to be more respectful and accepting than it has been thus far.
“I read afterward that Rick Santorum had said ‘The rights of Americans have been stripped’ and it’s definitely a personal hurdle to get through. You can see it’s his personal bias.
For the most part, I don’t really feel that much for the republican candidates; it’s hard to support someone who doesn’t respect you.”
“I wish the support was more massive, but I am grateful for what we have. People are starting to realize that it’s okay and it can happen,” said Lopez.
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