After Vermont legalized gay marriage on April 8 following Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Iowa, the hot topic of the future of gay marriage and the question of whether gay marriage will prevail or strict traditional marriage laws will withstand is on the minds of many.
Many strong opinions exist on the issue of gay marriage. Of the 12 people interviewed, 10 support marriages between individuals of the same sex, while one opposes and another is unsure.
As Melanie Hullings, 22, a Chemical Engineering major at the University of Pennsylvania sat on a high barstool at the Mainline Center for Bartending in Manayunk eating a vegetarian salad, she expressed her support for gay marriage, “Marriage is a legal relationship between two people, it should be allowed for anyone who wants to be married.” Hullings is a firm believer that the government should not interfere with personal relationships.
But others disagree.
Corey Ringcamp, 21, of Southwest Philadelphia who is in between jobs disagreed and said bluntly, “I find gay marriage foul. It is disgusting. It shouldn’t be allowed. That’s just not how it’s written.”
Supporters like Hullings, find his blunt words harsh.
Cynquetta Barnett 18, an Accounting major at Temple University is torn between sides. As she sat on her bed in her college dorm, she explained, “I’m kind of in between, I don’t want it to be legal but don’t feel as though it should be illegal. That’s weird I know… I don’t feel as if it’s right and natural but I don’t think I have the right to decide who someone could love and who they can’t.”
Whether for, against, or in-between, the intense debate continues on whether gay marriage is a matter of civil rights, or a legal marriage between those of the same sex is a route to traditional family obstruction. The important question is if Pennsylvania will soon follow Vermont and if Philadelphians are ready for the social modification.
Barnett tried to explain her objections to gay marriage: “Because that’s not what’s socially popular,” she said, “for a man to be with a woman is socially accepted, but a man with a man or a woman with a woman, not so much.”
Pennsylvania passed its own version of the Defense of Marriage Act in 1996. This piece of legislation grants the state the right to ban gay marriage and not recognize gay marriage licenses granted in other states. According to domawatch.org over 30 other states have similar legislation.
Many supporters of gay marriage argue the law goes against civil rights and is discriminating against certain groups of people.
A law student at Temple University, Chris Wickman, 23 of North Philadelphia, supports gay marriage and takes a break from studying to voice his opinions on the law, which he believes is “meant to police morality.” He thinks the government should not be able to interfere in this way. He argued, “Marriage of who we want is a legal right and to not do so is establishing a class system; banning marriage of certain groups of individuals and not others.”
Kelsey Urban, 18, a student at Philadelphia University eagerly agreed with Wickman, “I think gay marriage is perfectly fine. Banning it goes completely against individual rights. My mom is gay. I don’t think there is a difference in feelings that gays and straight people have. Everyone should be treated equally.”
A popular argument against gay marriage is that many find it contradicting to their religious beliefs, their views on traditional families, and do not want it to be taught in schools.
Barnett, sitting on her bed with a cross hanging on her wall, spoke about her strong religious commitment and how gay marriage contradicts her beliefs, “In my religion marriage is between man and women with the two main goals of serving god and procreating.” She added, “I would much rather have my child have a question and ask me. I wouldn’t want a whole lesson plan on it at school.”
While every person interviewed expressed their moral opinions on gay marriage freely no one thinks gay marriage in Pennsylvania will remain illegal.
Ringcamp said reluctantly, “In the next ten years gay marriage will be legal in all states.” He is not looking forward to the outcome.
Supporters for gay marriage pointed out that many who are opposed to gay marriage are “scared or homophobic” as Chris Augustine, 33, Senior Building Administrator said, or “because they are ignorant”, Melissa McGary, 34, a bartending Instructor in Philadelphia explained.
Yet, Ringcamp, who is opposed to gay marriage, argues he is not ignorant or homophobic and said, “My uncle, he’s gay, he thinks it should be legal.” He maintains his opposition to gay marriage despite a member of his family being directly affected by the ban. However, he is not insensitive to his family member’s decision, he says, “At the end of the day, do what your heart tells you to do.”
Out of the 12 people interviewed half have friends or family who are directly affected by the ban.
As Hullings finished up her salad she exclaimed proudly, “Hey! My friends are gay!”
In all, it seems Philadelphia comes to an agreement that Pennsylvania will follow the four other states in legalizing gay marriage whether they are ready for the change or not.
As McGrary turned her attention back to the computer screen to complete her lesson plans she said, “Live and let live.”
Class project for Writing for Journalism class. Freshman Year. By: Stephanie Lauren
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