One of the most talked about issues today is gay marriage and advocacy for equality for gays and lesbians in the United States of America and around the world. Those who oppose it site religion, procreation and that it is not natural. They also site that marriage is an institution between one man and one woman – well, that really isn’t true. Some places in the United States and around the world allow a man to have more than one wife. Many statistics indicate divorce is at an all-time high between ‘straight couples’.

There are so many loving and committed gays and lesbians who want to marry and have the same federal benefits and that are on par with their heterosexual counterparts. The institution of marriage is treated like a joke and it seems that many people are just using religion as an excuse to not allow gays and lesbians that are in committed and loving relationships to marry. How is marriage sacred when you have people like Britney Spears marrying her best-friend (as a joke) and having it annulled a few days later? Heterosexual couples never really thought about the sanctity of marriage until homosexuals advocated for their right to marry, all of a sudden, they took interest and are doing everything in their power to stop them from marrying.

I have been in a relationship with my partner for almost 20 years – we have been married for just over 6 years. Our marriage has lasted longer than some of my siblings and some of my friends. Our marriage didn’t disrupt anyone else’s lives – most people were supportive and thrilled about our marriage. The only people making a big deal are those who cite religious passages and hide their bigotry behind religion. I don’t understand how these people say “we accept our gay friends and love them but we don’t support gay marriage” – what is the issue? If these people truly accepted their gay friends then they would be doing anything they could to advocate for their right to marry! There should be no stipulations with acceptance – you can’t love and accept someone and then say they shouldn’t have the same federal right as you…..there is no such thing as ‘I accept you but, I don’t accept (insert subject here)’.

Those who oppose gay marriage are becoming a minority and that makes me feel great!!!! It shows that times are changing and people are finally realizing that the only difference they have from gays and lesbians is their sexuality – nothing else is different. The gay rights movement is very similar to the civil rights movement in terms of seeking equality and being recognized as a citizen in their country.

I want to take the opportunity to thank all of our heterosexual friends and allies who stand by their gay and lesbian friends and accept them as part of humanity and treat them no different from any other person. We love you! Here are some of our allies and friends:

NY Senator – DIANE SAVINO