No. Today, it is simply—marriage—and all that it brings with it. Just that simple. People much more eloquent than I will write about the events that have taken place today. But for me, today is the first time I believe that we have fulfilled our promise to ourselves, “that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
Oh, I am aware of those around me who are filled with as much angst over this as those around me who are in celebration tonight. I hear what they are saying, but to be honest I don’t understand their inability to accept the idea that everyone deserves to be happy and to be treated equally.
I am today, thinking of those in my family, who, for the first time in their life, can be treated as normally as anyone else. The decisions they make in life do not have to wear a cloak of defiance, for today they have won the right to reach for their own Life, Liberty and their own personal pursuit of Happiness.
As I think of the children who suffer such pain wrestling with the idea of their differences that today, maybe, with compassion and love, the world will allow them—encourage them to grow and become great and wonderful people.
As I think on those in my family, who hid who they were from us, for fear we would not love them or accept them, because society made them believe they were evil…this day is for you. I celebrate with you! I and the family have always known what a wonderful person you are, and when you found the courage to share yourself with us, you gave us a chance to show you. Thank you for trusting us with you!
I am not naive to think that this ruling wipes away prejudice. Not by a long shot! But I have lived long enough to see how with time, prejudice can be lessened and we can be open to those who are different than we are. I dream. I hope. I believe in the goodness of mankind.
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