I am writing to express my support for the Massachusetts Supreme Court’s ruling that marriage is not an institution solely for heterosexual couples. Although they did not order the state to grant marriage licenses to gay couples involved in the lawsuit, there is nothing standing in their way to get married if they so choose.

I believe this is a step in the right direction for this country. The United States is supposed to be a free, tolerant country which allows the same rights and privileges to all law-abiding citizens. Homosexuality is not a crime or a mental illness. It does not harm any person, unless that person chooses to be bothered by it.

By denying the privilege of marriage to a gay couple, that couple is deprived of the benefits that heterosexual married couples enjoy, such as being able to file a joint tax return, or more importantly, truly feel their commitment to one another is binding and that it will be recognized by others as such.

Denial of marriage to homosexuals marks them as second-class citizens.

The majority of this nation does not feel members of the LGBT community should be second-class citizens. If people really felt that way, “Will and Grace” and “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy” would not be popular entertainment for millions of Americans.

I congratulate the Massachusetts Supreme Court for ruling in support of same-sex marriage. Our country is a better place because of it, and perhaps sometime in the near future, I can be maid of honor at my sister’s wedding, something other women take for granted if their sisters and friends are heterosexual.

Laura Messer

Sophomore

Spanish