Getup- End Marriage Discrimination
One of the best videos I’ve ever seen. Please watch!
You were the first President I ever voted for. I was twenty years old and got up early to vote before my Animal Behavior class at 8:30am. For the last three years, I approved of the decisions you were making as President until now.
I was born twenty-three years ago to my parents, who have now been married twenty-six years. I have a little sister, who was born with a learning disability and now is a 4.0 student at Central Michigan University. My parents worked hard, paid for college with student loans, and now we are a successful, thriving family. I went to church. I went to a Catholic College Preparatory for High School where I graduated with high honors. I worked part-time jobs since I was fifteen years old. I went to Michigan State University and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Zoology with specializations in Animal Behavior and Neurobiology. And now, I’m getting my doctorate. I am successful when so many other individuals my age are not. The sad thing is that I work so hard to achieve my American dream yet I’m not even considered a first-class citizen in the country that I was born and raised in.
I am gay. My parents accept that. My friends and little sister accept that. I’m in a serious relationship, with a wedding date picked and the children’s name decided. And yet the country that prides itself on fairness and equality has made me ashamed to be who I am. I am as equal as anyone else in this country. I am smart and successful. I am in a healthy, committed relationship that prides itself on trust, respect, and love. But legally, I can’t marry the mother of my children, the love of my life, and my better half.
You may say that I should accept the freedoms that I have in the United States. That I may be an ignorant, rich white girl. But right now, I’m living outside of the United States, in a country where homosexuality is illegal. I understand that the United States has provided me with some protection under the law, “civil unions”, insurance benefits, rights to see my wife in the hospital as a family member, and the right to serve in your army. However, I’m just asking to give me the equal right to marry who I chose, to raise three beautiful, blonde haired children, in which ever state I want.
I am working hard to be someone that people are proud of. I am working hard to be successful so I can help and assist people in your country. I’m just asking that I get the respect that I’ve given this country in return. My family, future children, and wife depend on that.
Thank you.
