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Photo: vpickering
by We’Ced Youth Media
Editor’s Note: Last week, the Supreme Court of the United States narrowly struck down the Defense of Marriage Act. This landmark decision formally recognized all legal marriages as equal under federal law and would thus grant marriage benefits to legal LGBT marriages that were previously contested. This is what We’Ced youth had to say in reaction to this historic decision.
Alyssa Castro, 20
I agree with the courts decision. I’d like to see a change in the ways of thinking in society, especially by our officials and government heads. I feel they ruled by what was fair to married couples and not based on gender. I’m happy to see equality happening.
Jesus Perez, 18
It is about time the Supreme Court decided to treat all marriage the same under federal law. This has brought more equality to Americans. The United States claims that we have freedom of speech and belief. It upheld that claim with the court’s decision. No matter what sexual orientation a person has, they do not have to be worried about getting treated differently anymore. I was confident that the Defense Of Marriage Act would be struck down. It was the right thing to do.
Lisbeth Vazquez, 16
My reaction to the Supreme Court’s decision is that I agree with them. Since couples that are of the same sex are now able to get married, I think they should have the same benefits as straight couples that are married.
I think that anyone should be able to marry whomever they want since we all should be equal but you also have to think about the people that don’t want same sex marriages, what are their reasons? I think some people just don’t think it’s right because of religion. At least in my family’s eyes it isn’t. For example, my grandma says, “If they don’t prevent that now then how will it be in the future?” I can’t decide on what side I’m on because I see the points on both sides.
Jjakoba Starr Predmore, 17
I don’t know honestly, I think we should just make it ok because they’re making it too big of a deal. They should just think about how they would feel if it was happening to straight couples and LGBT people ruled over us and made marriage for straight people illegal.
Deborah Juarez, 17
My reaction was something like, “Woo!” It’s about time the United States is actually conveying “equality.” I mean not only has the number of states allowing same-sex marriage been growing (even if it is a minority, it’s still something!) but they get the same rights as straight married couples is good to read. So of course I agree with the Supreme Court’s decision with the equal benefits because it doesn’t matter if they are the same sex, love is love. Who are we to judge a person and their belief of love? I mean I have a few gay and lesbian cousins and it affects me personally because that’s my family. I want them to be happy like any other person.
Austin Corpuz, 18
I must say that it is about time the federal government recognized gay marriage as equal. Most legal racial discrimination ended years ago and finally we are advancing for the equality of all. I wasn’t surprised by the Supreme Court’s decision to treat all marriage the same under federal law, because it was eventually going to happen. I called it!
I am happy for the advances made today. I agree with the court’s decision because it is making us more equal as a society under the law. I am interested in the next social advance in America.
Fernando Almaraz, 17
I was astonished to hear what the ruling was. I would not agree with the court’s decision. I believe that this will directly affect the way of life and Immigration as well. From my point of view, this case shouldn’t have reached the Supreme Court but had to be decided by each state. Prop 8 should have been upheld and thus same sex couples should move to states where they do allow gay marriage.
This case was decided with all means according to the constitution under the “equal protection under the law” and not directly associated to what each of the Justices thought about the case themselves. Even though some Justices did rule according to their conservative belief, like Scalia, it was a matter of constitutionality and the court did what the court had to do. We live in an ever-changing society and we have to adapt to these changes. A really interesting point is that hey ruled on marriage itself rather than specifically marriage between the same sexes.
