Let the facts speak about DOMA

Many, if not all of you, are aware of what is going on in the Supreme Court. Wednesday, the Supreme Court heard arguments for and against The Defense of Marriage Act. DOMA, to be put simply, states that a marriage should consist of one man and one woman.

Marriage is typically taken to the state level, and either you are allowed to marry in a state or you are not. Here in Nebraska it is illegal to marry someone of the same sex.

However, it is legal in nine states and the District of Columbia. The problem with DOMA is seen on the federal level. Even if a same sex couple were to wed in a state where it is legal, the federal government does not recognize that couple’s union.

You may ask, “Well, they’re still married, so what does it matter?” It matters because there are benefits given by the federal government to straight couples that are not given to same sex couples. In fact, over 1,200 rights that are given to straight couples are not granted to same sex couples, including social security benefits, Medicaid, eligibility for public housing, etc.

For those of you that are pro-veteran and veteran’s benefits, those do not apply to same-sex couples within the military, even with the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell.

Army Sgt. Donna Johnson was killed in a suicide bomber attack in Afghanistan. She was married legally within her state. Survived by her wife, Tracey Dice, (also in the military) Dice was unable to collect the benefits given to the spouses of deceased veterans. This kind of thing happens all the time.

Typically, I am a person who will do my best to take both sides of every issue into consideration. In fact, I have been known to argue in favor of things I don’t necessarily believe in if it means showing the person I am debating with that there is, in fact, two sides of the story.

However, in the case of gay marriage, I find this incredibly difficult because every argument that tries to oppose it simply falls flat on its face. The opposing side to gay marriage will argue that it is unnatural. Well, did you know that over 1,500 species (and counting) exhibit homosexual behavior?

There is only one species that exhibits homophobia. Many will say homosexuality is a choice. Science has already proven this statement incorrect on multiple occasions. A study conducted on human pheromones proves that homosexuals and heterosexuals release different pheromones. Not only have that, but studies on neurons in the brain showed a significant difference in the size of the neuron INAH3 between homosexuals and heterosexuals.

Besides, who in the world would choose to be gay in this kind of world? Here in the United States even, gay people have been burned alive, beaten to a pulp and tied to a fence post.

For those that say there are differences in the way kids are raised by homosexual couples, you’re absolutely right. Studies have shown that children who are raised by homosexual parents are more compassionate, more kind, and more accepting to new ideas.

Sixty years ago, it was illegal for colored people to marry non-colored people. Why? Well, the argument used in the Virginia V. Loving case is almost identical to the argument being used now. This is supposed to be the land of the free.

The United States is known for supposed equality for all people. I’m sorry, but I’m not seeing that now. DOMA is proof of that. In fact, half of the people that signed DOMA to begin with now regret it.

The president that signed it into order to begin with, President Bill Clinton, now sees the need to overturn DOMA and get rid of it. If the man who signed it into being sees the need to get rid of it, if he was able to open his eyes wanting to be on the right side of history, why can’t others?

It’s time to open our eyes and actually start to make the United States equal.