Love is love.

I didn’t grow up in a loving, happy home with two straight parents who loved each other unconditionally. It was dysfunctional, scary and hard. I was mainly raised by my mother, who worked hard every day to give us the things we needed and to create a happy, loving home. I still spent time with my dad, but he was never there for us, emotionally. However, the one thing both my parents did agree on was that you always treat others the way you would want to be treated. So with that, and my parent’s unhealthy relationship, the idea that gay couples in loving relationships getting married is somehow going to ruin marriage and what family means, was completely incomprehensible to me. I’ve been a huge supporter of gay rights since I was old enough to truly understand it all. And my logic and upbringing always spoke to me: you treat others the way you would want to be treated and some things are just right or wrong; black or white. When I developed relationships with people in the gay community, this became even more evident to me. These are people. People who love, dream, hope, and live like everyone else. When the gay marriage bill appeared before the floor of the Senate in St. Paul, I listened in on the conversation (or argument, at times). It went back and forth, supporters speaking and people against it speaking. My heart wavered, as the people speaking against it spoke with what felt like such ignorance, anger and hate in their hearts. I couldn’t comprehend living in a state where this exists so strongly and I had to believe that Minnesota would come out on the right side of history. I found myself holding my breath at times, waiting to hear what the next speaker would say, if they would speak ignorantly or if they would really understand what it was all about. In my core, I had to believe that Minnesota was going to stand with equality, and that eventually the rest of the country would soon follow. What kind of world are we living in, if we don’t head in this direction? If we don’t stand for equality and the pursuit of happiness for all people? The thoughts consumed me and really scared me to the point of nausea. When it passed, I felt like I could breath again and my faith in humanity and my faith in Minnesota was restored. Now in Minnesota, people in loving, committed relationships are able to solidify their commitment in front of their friends & family, legally for the first time. Some of these people have been in relationships for years, and even already had weddings & commitment ceremonies that weren’t recognized by the state. Now this recognition exists. And even though this recognition has always existed for me, as a straight person, I couldn’t be happier for these people. Because that age-old saying always applies whether on the streets of Minneapolis, or in the eyes of the law: treat others as you would want to be treated.