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How Do We Explain Amendment One To Our Children?

Okay. Here we go again! Lawmakers in North Carolina are geared up for another round of “We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal.” Except for those of you who wish to exercise your rights in the GLBT (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered) Community, that is. Because in the ‘Bible Belt,’ our thoughts should naturally coincide with the archaic notions of “Male and female created He them.”

First of all, gay marriage has never been allowed in the state of North Carolina. So why put this policy into effect in the first place? What is the real purpose behind adding this Amendment to the State’s Constitution?

As a North Carolinian transplant, I can say that the law only reflects negatively on other North Carolinians and places more emphasis on the ‘backwoods’ ideology most claim southerners have anyway.

Never mind the rhetoric lawmakers would use to proclaim that we are free to choose what we will, speak whatever pops into our heads, and are able to love whomever we will. Because laws that ban gay marriage, abortion, and ostracizes those choosing to employ their right to free speech clearly says differently.

See Governor Bev Perdue’s take on the matter.

Except today, May 8, 2012, lawmakers and religious officials alike insist that we, the public, should not only stand by and let our rights as Americans be diminished further. But also, we should proudly vote against the rights of gays and lesbians who found love outside out of the bounds of what lawmakers deem “normal.”

So what do we tell our children after allowing such a law to pass? What about those youth struggling with their sexuality, their genders? What can we offer them besides fleeting hope because as progressive as our society appears to be, lawmakers remind us that there are some things the American public isn’t ready for, some inalienable rights we should not hold dear.

But for the GLBT youth aging daily, there seems to be little hope for them. Although these youth may feel like their chances of acceptance in a society that shuns their choices may actually be getting better, we have to say ‘no.’ This amendment ratifies dissention and small-minded, backwards thinking, allowing it to continue. It doesn’t make room for others who are different, who choose to lead different lives and love outside out of strict boundaries.

Although “Male and female created He them,” today’s definition of love colors outside the lines and blurs the genders respectively. So today, we should tell our children that things can change. Maybe someday, when our youth are the future lawmakers in this country, society will recognize love, regardless of what form it takes.

Originally posted on Blogher.com. N. Meridian is a proofreader, editor, ghostwriter, soon to be author of No Crying for Elena, YourTango Expert and freelance writer of various subjects. You can follow her on Facebook at www.facebook/#!/inameridian. You can also reach her directly at nmeridian@hotmail.com.