By Antonio Addessi
Taking a look back, this time last year was a turning point in our state’s history. When equality for marriage came to Maine, we had freedom. The impact that vote had on us as a society was a positive one that, to me, seemed just and necessary. I can’t believe that it has already been a year! But, where do we go from here? Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell was overturned and now military personnel are allowed to marry, but why not the entire country?
The last year has been nothing but successful for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning community. Delaware, Minnesota and Rhode Island all legalized gay marriage this year and on Monday, Oct. 21 New Jersey will officially recognize same-sex unions. California’s Proposition 8 was overturned by the Supreme Court this summer along with Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act. But what about Section 2?
Section 2 of the Defense of Marriage Act essentially gives power to states and territories to deny recognition of same-sex marriages. The law in 35 states is only valid because of this section of DOMA. But, how can we have the right to marry whom we please in Maine while our brothers and sisters in states like Ohio and Oregon cannot? It is mesmerizing to me that more than half the country’s people are essentially second-class citizens. To me, this is why celebrating this year’s victories is not fair. As a country, we have come so far, and yet we are still so backward in our ways. Although federally recognized same-sex unions are not a reality yet we can say that we have come a long way and we couldn’t have done it alone.
The Wilde-Stein Alliance for Sexual Diversity is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. The huge impact that it has had on the lives of so many students during its existence is breathtaking. The early years of the alliance were very controversial due to the state and church resistance to the group, but now they are an important part of the University of Maine community. They have an important week coming up, which interestingly enough, coincides with the first same-sex marriages in New Jersey on Monday. The flag raising for Coming Out Week will be Monday at noon on the mall and then different events throughout the week.
The coming together of students and faculty for these events is important in shaping our community. You don’t have to be openly gay or have any want to be; the point of celebrations like these are to bring people together. When people embrace their own sexuality and begin to truly love themselves they, form closer bonds with one another. I think that RuPaul says it best: “If you can’t love yourself, how the hell are you gonna love somebody else?”
I think that we should take this week to celebrate loving ourselves and the people around us and push forward together to form a better world that we can all live in. I think that it is possible for everyone to live equally together, caring and respecting one another.