On June 26, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that same-sex marriage is legal. A growing number of states had legalized same-sex marriage after it was made legal in Massachusetts in 2003. The U.S. is the 21st country to legalize gay marriage. The U.S. will guarantee homosexuals equal rights and benefits to heterosexual couples. This is a significant event because public opinion over the legalization of same-sex marriage was very strained. Now, sexual minorities have gained their human rights.
After the ruling, the White House turned rainbow colors, and the people of America shed tears of joy with sexual minorities. Couples who wanted to get a marriage license visited local district courts. Multinational corporations like Apple, Disney, and Coca-Cola displayed “Love wins” banners and the rainbow flag. Celebrities like Ellen De Generes and Beyonce offered their congratulations by SNS. President Obama posted, “Today is a big step in our march toward equality,” on Twitter.
The Supreme Court said that same-sex couples don’t think little of marriage and the constitution should guarantee their rights. Justice Anthony Kennedy, who wrote the ruling, explained that the constitution promised every person freedom under the law. Moreover, the public of the U.S. were prepared to accept same-sex marriage.
However, conservatives strongly protested the judgment. John Roberts, who is the chief justice of the Supreme Court, said that this ruling was only made by the justices of the Supreme Court and can’t represent the opinion of the American people. Antonin Scalia, who is a conservative, said that the decision menaces American democracy. Moreover, there was a shooting incident on the street where people were celebrating the ruling in San Francisco, and several states which have opposed the legalization of same-sex marriage have postponed issuing marriage licenses.
The legalization of same-sex marriage made headlines in Korea as well as in America. The Korea Queer Culture Festival was held on June 28. Some religious organizations opposed the festival. They said homosexual people are trying to promote the wrong culture of sex. However, sexual minorities want people to know that they are average people. They can be your family or friends, and they want people to try to understand and embrace them. In addition, they will continue their endeavors so that sexual minorities come to enjoy freedom and human rights.
We should not have discrimination, and everybody should be respected and be happy. However, Korea has no law to protect sexual minorities, unlike the U.S. The Korean government should guarantee their right to marry as equal citizens. Discrimination should be completely prohibited.
