The United States Supreme Court has ruled on the matter of same-sex marriage, just in time for the annual celebration of America’s independence. It is a fitting time as we celebrate our Constitutional freedoms.
By abolishing Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell in September 2011 and recognizing that gays and lesbians are valued members of our armed services, the federal government undoubtedly paved the way for acceptance of gay unions in a way previously unfathomable in this country. The decision also likely helped to shift the tide away from fear and lack of understanding to one of acceptance and empathy.
It’s a world that’s much different from the one in which many of us were raised, in which gays were openly treated as inferior to the rest of the population. At one time in the not-so-distant past, it was argued that gays serving in the military would somehow lead to a breakdown in morale and order.
Now it’s understood that couldn’t be further from the truth. Gays and lesbians have served in the military with distinction and honor for decades, but only recently openly and without fear of being kicked out. Among those who blazed the path for gays to serve is Whidbey Island resident Trish Rose, who spoke in June at the Joint Base Lewis McChord Color Our World With Pride event in recognition of Gay Pride month.
Rose is currently the highest ranking openly gay service member serving in the U.S. Military. A major general who serves as deputy chief of staff for Logistics, Installations and Mission Support in the Air Force, Rose spoke at JBLM about the importance of diversity and leadership, according to a press release issued by the 446th Airlift Wing.
The Supreme Court’s ruling is a clear reflection of society’s changing attitudes, but there is still work ahead.
While the 5-4 vote by the court was not unexpected, the dissent by Chief Justice John Roberts and justices Antonin Scalia, Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito is disheartening because it seeks to deny the legitimacy of the ruling and right of same-sex couples to be treated equally under the law.
In his written dissent, Roberts doesn’t claim that same-sex marriages are illegal, just that the question of opening marriage to same-sex couples should be left to the states, not decided by courts.
“If you are among the many Americans — of whatever sexual orientation — who favor expanding same-sex marriage, by all means celebrate today’s decision,” Roberts said. “Celebrate the achievement of a desired goal. Celebrate the opportunity for a new expression of commitment to a partner. Celebrate the availability of new benefits. But do not celebrate the Constitution. It had nothing to do with it.”
The Constitution has everything to do with the decision, and this weekend we can all celebrate that marriage equality is the law of the land under that precious 227-year-old document.
