Despite Federal Judge Vaughn Walker’s overturning of California’s Proposition 8, same-sex couples in other states and countries continue to struggle with human rights issues both from the government and its citizens.

In 2010, Portugal, Iceland and Argentina legalized same-sex marriage. In 2009, Norway and Sweden did the same. And other countries, such as Netherlands, Canada and Spain have had legalized same-sex marriage for over five years. However, every time a country approves or discusses same sex marriages, fundamentalists scream in pain as if attacked by one of Cupid’s jagged, poisonous arrows. This can be seen even in Hawaiʻi, where civil unions were vetoed in July.

Ironically, the idea of marriage and love in this country bring notions of diamond rings and lovebirds. Yet in Senegal, 24 men were arrested at a party after officers found makeup, jewelry, and safe-sex materials in the house. In Madrid, two lesbians were violated in a restaurant, despite Spain having legalized same sex marriages in 2005.

These incidents of violence then go further than talk of marriage. They enter a realm where it is okay to question humanity and allow hateful messages to continue to suppress, or even kill, those who stray from what is today considered the norm.

While the possible overturn of Proposition 8 should be applauded, do not forget that there area multitude of LGBT movements with varying agendas that go far beyond marriage. Do not forget about discrimination in employment, the abuse and killings of LGBTs, and lack of gay rights in the U.S. and internationally.

Spain has showed that its legalization of same sex marriages did not end discrimination, but California’s bold move is a step towards acceptance and respect for all people.