The U.S. Supreme Court should uphold a Colorado Supreme Court decision that the state’s Amendment 2 is unconstitutional.

Approved in 1992, Amendment 2 forbids bans on anti-gay discrimination. The amendment revokes city ordinances, as well as police department policies, that protect gays from discrimination based on sexual orientation.

The Colorado citizens’ vote to accept Amendment 2 was fairly close: 53 percent to 47 percent. And in 1993, the Colorado Supreme Court deemed the amendment unconstitutional.

As a group of individuals who are part of society — neither “changeable” nor “removable” — gays deserve protection, as do all citizens.

The Supreme Court begins appeal proceedings today, providing an ideal opportunity to set a precedent supporting gay rights. Colorado’s Amendment 2 forces back-pedaling in the already slow ride of social progression.

Let’s hope the Supreme Court is wise enough to abolish what has amounted to institutionalized prejudice that has not been tolerated in other issues, such as race and sex. Why should prejudice be institutionalized in the arena of sexual orientation?