Love is a fundamental human right. It transcends politics, prejudice, and cannot be commodified. Love is indifferent to your origins, religious beliefs, or skin color. It embodies both complexity and simplicity.
Imagine if I were to tell you that your love is insignificant. What if I claimed that your feelings are a mere illusion, unworthy of acknowledgment? What if I suggested your love was somehow lesser than mine, and that you had no right to experience or express it? How would you respond?
I’ve openly discussed my relationship with my partner, sharing both the challenges and joys that come with marriage. I’ve navigated the same highs and lows that many couples face. My marriage is as valid as any other; no one has the authority to dispute that. It matters not who you worship, how you spend your weekends, or what gives you the right to judge my union—my marriage is genuine.
I did not wed in a place of worship, nor did I seek the approval of a religious figure before exchanging vows. And frankly, no one should have to. Yet, despite the Supreme Court granting me the legal right to marry the woman I love deeply, I find myself continually defending that right. I’ve been told my marriage lacks the same legitimacy as traditional unions, that it falls short of societal norms.
At 18, I was permitted to sign a marriage license, despite being too young to legally drink. This sacred institution allows a minor to enter into a recognized marriage while simultaneously denying a 32-year-old the same opportunity based on an arbitrary definition of “traditional.” Explain to me how this rationale holds up, because it simply does not. The reality that some individuals wield religious texts as a means to dictate the rights of others is appalling.
My marriage is just that—a marriage. It should not be subjected to the standards of your faith, which remain yours alone. I do not criticize how you manage your relationships or your beliefs. I don’t question your spiritual practices. I do not demean you for being different. Love and happiness are profoundly personal experiences; they don’t hinge on your religious views or a sense of superiority. All I seek is the same rights afforded to any heterosexual couple, and that is a matter of basic human dignity.
If your faith relies on proving your morals through exclusion or judgment, then it’s a faith I do not wish to embrace. However, I assure you, if I am judged by a higher power for whom I love, then you too will be held accountable for how you choose to hate.
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In summary, love is universal and should be recognized without prejudice or judgment. My marriage is valid and deserves the same respect as any other.
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