These are difficult times for all of us in America and even though it has brough t out the worst

in some, it has also brought out the best in many. For as long as I can remember in all of my sixty-two years, there has always bee n some struggle for equality in this country. There has never been a time when Li berty and Justice For All, has meant exactly what it says. Although we have made great strides in America, the struggle for total equality still continues. The struggles between the government and its people, the rich and the poor, illeg al aliens and citizens, women and men, young and old, a womans right to choose an d those who would restrict it, the struggle of minorities to achieve their right ful place in society, and of course; gays right to marry the person of their cho ice. The right of gays to marry, has most recently, been a particularly difficult iss ue. Dividing the country with almost as much passion as the civil rights movemen t of the sixties. It has become as much a religious issue as a political one, ne ither of which should even be a factor in a situation clearly about the basic hu man rights of a select group of American citizens. Americans, I might add, that work to make this country great, pay their fair share of taxes, get involved in other social issues, and show a genuine compassion for the struggles of others; despite the outright hatred they are forced to deal with. Especially from some o f this countrys elected officials, who are duly sworn to protect the Constitution of The United States. A Constitution drawn up to guarantee all of its people the same rights and privileges, though as we all know, such is not the case. The in alienable rights of, Life, Liberty, and The Pursuit of Happiness, written to insur e these rights has not been faithfully fulfilled. Its as though, those who were c hosen to serve the people have become those who attempt to rule the people in a purely discriminatory and unlawful manner. These selected leaders, with the assi stance of religious zealots have continuously promoted hatred instead of cultiva ting understanding and unity. Directly restricting and even preventing certain c itizens in this country the most basic right, the right to marry and openly decl are the love they have for one another. A right given to every other American ci tizen. This can no longer continue or even be tolerated. Hatred toward anyone shows contempt for us all. Human rights should not be selec tive, nor should anyone, especially in The United States of America, be denied r ights that every other citizen of this great country is entitled to. Imagine tha t, entitled to, while others are excluded. Now is the time to right the wrongs promoted and dictated by a select few. Now i s the time to prove to the world we are not the hypocrites they believe we are. Now is the time to be the example of equality we hope the rest of the world will emulate. Now is finally the time to end the pettiness, the injustice, and the h atred. The promises set forth by The Founding Fathers of this country must never become broken promises by those who have been elected by the people, to uphold and def end the very foundation of fairness and freedom that this country was built upon . The soul of this nation rests in the seat of the words written to guide and pr otect us since the very beginning of our nation. The honor and dignity of each American citizen must be protected in order for th is country to survive and move forward. The Constitution contains no exclusion c lauses when it comes to the rights of its people, nor shall that ever be changed if we are to remain a free country. Then there are those that consider gay marriage, a moral issue, but who in this country is so pure of heart, that they have any right to impose moral judgment o n anyone else? Who is so morally perfect that they should, cast the first stone? I f we are all created in Gods image, who is therefore in any position to question what God himself has created? The beliefs and traditions of the past must now gi ve way to a new set of beliefs and traditions, which accept all people, no matte r who they choose to love. Love should never be the subject of public debate or moral judgment. The right to marry someone you have chosen to love and spend the rest of your life with is a personal choice, not a legislative agenda. If that were so, then every citizen should be held to the same standard, restrictions, a

nd laws. If marriage is to be legislated to the point where the government choos es for you who you can or cannot marry, then every citizen should have their fre edom of choice impeded upon. Some fight for the right to bear arms, while restricting someone elses right to j oin arms. Contrary to popular belief, it is not gay marriage that is destroying the American moral standard, but the hatred directed toward it. People are being restricted in their love for another human being, while hatred is being given f ree reign. Since when has hatred and persecution become morally acceptable? America has chosen ignorance over understanding, intolerance over compassion, an d discrimination over acceptance. Is this the America we want to leave for futur e generations? Is this truly our legacy? I too, have a dream, much like the great civil rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. My dream is that one day all love and those we freely choose to love wi ll be accepted in mens hearts and minds as it is in Gods eyes. I too, have a dream that hatred and moral judgment will no longer be passed from one generation to the next. I too, have a dream that verbal or physical acts of violence against t he gay community will no longer be tolerated or allowed. Laws should be enacted to protect people, not deny them their rights. I too, have a dream that one day this country, The United States of America, will wake up and decide its moral obl igation is to all of its people without restriction, condemnation, discrimination , or persecution. I, too, have a dream. When all is said and done, we will all inevitably be judged by who we chose to l ove, not who we chose to hate. I think God would agree with me. Where will you b e in Gods eyes? I too, have a dream!