Still unequal

Still unequal

It’s wonderful that the Supreme Court struck down DOMA as unconstitutional. However, federal recognition of same-sex marriages will only apply to the 12 states where it is legal. That saddens me.

If my partner of 44 years and I move to one of those states, we’ll have the recognition and benefits of the U.S. government. But if we remain in Florida or live in any of the other 37 states that don’t recognize same-sex marriage, we won’t have that equality.

We all learned how President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation freed the African Americans who were in bondage in slave states. Black Americans did not have to escape to a state where they would find equality under the law. President Lincoln knew that situation was an evil he needed to change.

Today, the issue is about sexual orientation rather than color. Isn’t history repeating itself? We need another “emancipation proclamation” in this country. Let equality in marriage exist for all gay citizens, not just those who happen to live in 12 enlightened states.

Richard Firsten, Miami Gardens

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