CLUB DrEAD

Today the American public once again told gays and lesbians that we do not deserve equal rights. I can not tell you how disappointed in our country I am. I use the word "disappointed" but truthfully I am angry. I am angry because I pay my taxes, I get up everyday and try to help the less fortunate, and I treat people the way I want to be treated. In return my fellow Americans have made it illegal for me to marry the person I love, the person that makes me a better a person, the person that motivates me to be more kind, less judgemental, more open-minded. I can not share my health benefits with this person. I have to fill out 10 times more paperwork to make sure if something happens to me she gets my insurance, inherits our house that we both pay for, and is able to keep the children we brought into this world together.

Today the Michigan Court of Appeals ruled that public universities and governments can't provide health insurance to partners of gay employees without violating the state constitution. As many of you remember in 2004 our state decided to approve a ban on gay marriage. We were told at that time this would NOT effect same-sex benefits. How did we go from it not effecting same-sex benefits to it ending same-sex benefits?

Right now I am speaking to all of you that voted yes on this ban. I don't care that you don't like my lifestyle. I don't care how you live your life. Why do you care how I live my life? It is my life. I was given the mental capacity to make my own decisions regarding my life. Why are you taking my right to make my own decisions away from me? How would you like it if I told you what to do for once? If you had to get my approval to get married? No, not just my approval, but the approval of every gay/lesbian/gay friendly American? How would you like it if I told you that you could not share your health insurance with your loved one? I am thinking you wouldn't like it very much.

Don't even try to give me any of that crap about protecting the"Institute of Marriage". I see how all of the straight folks have kept it "sacred". I see your divorce rate. I see the affairs some of you are fond of having. And don't even try to use the bestiality line on me. Same-sex relationships WILL NOT, and I repeat WILL NOT, lead to bestiality. I am sorry, but if you are honestly comparing my love of another HUMAN BEING to someone doing unspeakable things to an animal. I think you, my friend, are the one with the problem.

Our Constitution was written for a reason. Our founding fathers wanted everyone to have equal access to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness". The American Heritage Dictionary defines liberty as: "The condition of being not subject to restriction or control. The right to act in a manner of one's own choosing." The gay and lesbian population of our country are not being given the same liberty as heterosexuals. That is what it all comes down to.

Okay, for all of you who believe in equal rights or try to believe in equal rights, please keep this in mind next time you vote. These unfair laws effect real people. I realize I may be preaching to the choir here but I just had to get my two cents out there.