If you look at the pledge of allegiance that we all in the United States of America learned (and recited on a daily basis) in elementary school, you see the final sentence. It says, “With Liberty and Justice for All.” Today the Senate and House of Representatives finally fulfilled that final line of our pledge. Today, all queer and transgendered people in the state became First Class Citizens. We no longer have to worry about someone finding out that we are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered, intersexed, or any other label that is part of the queer community. We no longer have to worry about loosing our jobs, our housing, having trouble with credit, and not being protected by the men in blue because we are queer. Today we stand equal to the rest of the inhabitants of this great state of Illinois.
Nevertheless, I do digress. While today is a giant leap for queer Illinoisans, it is only a small step for queer America. Today, Illinois joins 14 others in recognizing queer people as equal to heterosexuals. That is only 15 states people. That leaves 35 other states where a person can be discriminated against because of their actual or perceived sexual orientation. People in 35 states have no protection for their jobs, their houses, their credit decisions, their safety, all because we cannot seem to follow our own pledge and give JUSTICE for ALL people. Yes, Illinois finally got the hint after 30 continuous years of trying to get legislation like this passed. Today, we became equal, but today 35 other states do not see queer people as equal. It is also evident that the man in the big white house in DC sees queers as second-class citizens as well.
When I say this was a giant leap for Illinois, it was. However, it is only a small step for the rest of America. We need to get off the gay marriage bandwagon, and get onto the equal rights podium. We, as queer people and heterosexuals, need to be treated equally and fairly in all situations in life. Many opponents to equal rights say that these “so-called equal rights” are actually special rights. I beg to differ. These equal rights are exactly that, the writing into law the rights of queers in America to be treated like any other person and be protected in the same ways that any other heterosexual is treated. Special, NO! Equal, YES!
Therefore, my fellow humans, and queers out there, today Illinois took a giant leap for which I am happy. This giant leap is only a small step on the National podium, and hopefully this leap kicks other states into gear. Stop worrying about the word marriage, and start worrying about the fundamental rights that heterosexual people take for granted and queers wish they could have. Let us worry about the small stuff first before we start the fight to full equality in ALL things later! Get equal rights in the law books first, then civil unions, and eventually gay marriage. Let us not jump off the cliff before we have built the bridge to the other side first.
So, congrats my fellow Illinoisans. We are finally equal in this state. And to my brothers and sisters in the 35 other states... I hope you feel the joy I feel today some time soon!
Jase ;0)
Jason P. Ruel
Editor, Gay Lesbian News
If you would like to contact the author, please click on the link below.
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For Further Reading on the topic of Equal Rights and Homosexuality, I suggest the following:
