When someone asks us, What do you think would make the world a better place?, we always say, Peace and equality. Why is it then, that so many people contradict their own opinion by discriminating?

Today is Tuesday May 26th, 2009 and the Supreme Court in California decided to uphold the ban on gay marriage. I read this and cried. I am straight but it doesn't matter at all, this hurts me, just as much as this is hurting same-sex couples. It is beyond sickening, that after so many unfortunate events, people still don't recognize the urgency of officially granting EQUALITY. The word gay, should not be used to label, nor to insult someone. Every one of us came into this world, clueless of what to expect or who we would be.

I don't understand how someone having feelings for the same sex should hurt anyone. Do we all want to be the same thing when we grow up? No! Simply, because we are ALL different. Someone who is gay, lesbian, trans gendered, etc, should not be disqualified from having the same rights as a heterosexual. This isn't some kind of joke. People begin taking pills, drinking, cutting themselves or even go to the point of committing suicide, just because there are people in this society who think that as long as they have all the rights they wish to have then, the hell with everyone else! That's not how it should be. How about letting everyone be happy? Why don't you put yourselves in that person's position and see how much it really hurts?

Growing up, I used to think differently though. I used to think that it wasn't right. I'm 15 now and since I was nine years old, I began watching The Ellen Degeneres Show hosted by the one and only, Ellen Degeneres. From the first day I tuned in, I automatically knew she had a big heart, just by the way she talked to her audience, the help she provided for those in need and the respect she treated everybody with. I got a computer when I was 12 and wanted to meet other fans who loved her just as much as I did and began researching her biography because I had no clue about her personal life. Then I read that she is gay and my first reaction was, Really? She didn't seem any different than people who aren't gay! Then it clicked, Ellen taught me that there was nothing wrong with being gay and that it doesn't change who you are. From then on, I treated everyone I crossed paths with, with the same respect. She is truly a woman that you can learn so much from and I think this is why so many, have become better people. If you watch Ellen and tell me that she is different just because she's gay then, I'm sorry but that to me isn't humane. Ellen is an amazing role model to millions of people and had the fortune of getting married last year before the ban became official. Everyone should have the right to get married, no matter who they are.

If the law of marriage between a man and a woman were to be removed, how would you feel? Would you not be disappointed that you can no longer express your love with a commitment? Till they remove the ban against gay marriage, there will always be a hole in my heart for those who are being punished. In all common decency, sign this petition to show that you care and that you want to make a difference. We can't let this issue go on, or else before we know it, another life will be erased from the face of the earth because we didn't step up and take action. Please everyone, let's not let it get to that point, you as an individual should treat everyone else with just as much respect as you want to receive upon yourself. I'm going to finish off by saying that Barack Obama was chosen president of the United States this year and even if I don't live in the U.S. I still know that he spoke wisely and said something that I think everyone should follow, it was, Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek. The sooner we act by this quote the better!