Four years ago, my best friend Matt told me he was gay. I was so proud of him for opening up and accepting himself. Since we were young, Matt and I had been imagining our weddings; however, gay marriage is not legal in the United States.
Technically, the Church and State are supposed to be two completely separate institutions that stand on their own. Yet, the main reason gay marriage is not legalized is because conservative, religious groups believe it is immoral and against God.
However, I ask one main question: How can love be against God? If God creates everyone, why would he create someone he thought was wrong and immoral? God would not make someone he did not love.
Being gay is not a choice. No one decides to whom they are attracted or whom they love. If we could decide whom we love, everyone would be so much happier and there would be no more heartache. When Matt told his family he was gay, his sister asked how long he had known. He told her he always knew, and then said, “I played Barbies with you.”
In my opinion, gay marriage should be legal and should be accepted by all religious groups. Who are we as humans to dictate whom others can marry and love? We are not God and do not know his master plan or what he believes.
Going to Catholic schools my whole life, I have heard many times over the Christian view on why gay marriage is wrong.
Yet, homosexuality has not recently popped up on our radar; it has been going on since the beginning of time.
In ancient times, laws about sexuality were few. No one really cared how people acted or expressed their sexual appetites. The gods of antiquity did not care how the citizens behaved. Perhaps we should adopt these ways.
Today, religious groups claim that God forbids homosexuality. However, how does anyone know what God is thinking, and why would he all of the sudden care about gay people? If he really did not like gay people, he would not have made them, or he would have stopped homosexuality long ago.
At Loyola, we have such diversity and a great acceptance towards gay people. I have made so many amazing friends that I am so proud of because they are unashamed. I love that at Loyola no one needs to be afraid of who they are.
Matt is not my only gay friend and I am looking forward to the day that I can go to each of their weddings. I want to be a bridesmaid at my friends’ weddings and I want to be the godmother to their children.
One day, all of those things will come true. One day my friends will be able to marry whomever they love.
Kaitlyn O’Connor is a history sophomore and can be reached at
