Pursuing Happiness Essay Example for Free

Pursuing Happiness Essay We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness All men are created equal, but are we all really treated equal? As of January 2013, nine states — Connecticut, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Vermont, and Washington — have legalized same-sex marriage. Thats a mere 5.5% of the nation, whereas countries such as Canada, Netherlands, Spain, South Africa and Sweden have already granted full marital status to same-sex couples and other countries (France, Columbia, the UK, Taiwan, etc. ) have pending bills to legalize it as well. We are a leading nation in the world, we should be setting an example. So why are we so behind on this important matter? It is hit by a number issues, many of which are religion-based. Personally, I do not follow any religion but I respect the belief of others because I wouldnt like someone to insult something I believe in and thus I wouldnt do the same to another human being. But I dont understand why they cant understand my beliefs. I believe in love. Crazy, stupid, happy love. Tell me, what is so wrong with seeing two people in love get married? Should it matter what gender they are? Just because someone is of a different sexuality than you are doesnt mean that they arent human. They have feelings just like you and I. They dont look any different from us either. These people could be your brother or sister, your uncle or aunt, your schoolmates or teachers, they could even be your best friend. Speaking of best friends, one of mine, Christian, is the reason this issue hits so close to home for me. Ive been to 6 different schools in my life and befriended many people but Ive never really been open about myself in any of them. But with Christian and our other best friend, Nardos, there were no secrets. I remember the day Christian came out of the closet to us as clearly as if it were yesterday, I recall him blushing when we asked if he liked anyone and gushing over his crush of five years. Someday, I hope to see him in a relationship with someone and as maddeningly happy as he was that day. I hope to see him get married, to see him be happy. I hope that someday hell be able to come out to a world that judges him less on love than who he loves and more on who he is. Sadly, I doubt that day will come anytime soon. That isnt to say that it will never come. I mean, interracial marriage was illegal in the US till anti-miscegenation laws (laws that banned interracial marriage, cohabitation and sex) were declared unconstitutional in 1967. Doesnt it seem ridiculous to you that it took a supreme court decision to define that it was alright for two people of different races to love and marry each other? Well, thats how it seems to me with same-sex marriage.