The Monday event in which hundreds of students wrote Valentine’s Day cards to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to encourage him to support same-sex marriage should be commended as polite, creative and classy activism for an important cause.
In light of the current hostile political climate of the presidential primaries, the nonaggressive act of sending Valentine’s Day cards is a refreshing way to deliver a positive message.
In October 2007, Schwarzenegger explained his prior vetoes of two marriage equality bills by claiming that he preferred to let the state Supreme Court decide on the issue, rather than making a decision himself.
His disowning of responsibility and refusal to take a stand on same-sex marriage is a clear circumvention of an issue that has never been more pertinent to Californians.
Hopefully he isn’t simply trying to preserve his aspirations with the Republican party by distancing himself from the issue.
As governor of California, it is his responsibility to respect the wishes of his constituency and work to address issues that are important to the state ““ not skirt them.
Thankfully, students from other campuses, including UC Berkeley and UC Irvine, also participated in the Valentine event, which is a testament to the student organization that went into this creative activism.
The broad participation is an encouraging sign that college students are taking steps to pressure Schwarzenegger to take responsibility for the issue.
California, a state known for leading the way in progressive thinking, should take this opportunity to set the tone for other states by passing legislation on the issue of same-sex marriage.
Schwarzenegger should not neglect this opportunity.
Same-sex marriage needs to be recognized by the country to ensure equal rights to all citizens, as same-sex couples do not enjoy the same rights as heterosexual couples ““ including how financial policy affects them and their hospital visitation rights.
Many same-sex couples have been together for years, and if they function as a family, they should be recognized and respected as a family.
Furthermore, permitting same-sex marriages will not force churches to marry same-sex couples nor will it force anyone else to do anything at all.
Since churches already regulate who can be approved for church-sanctioned marriages, the state provides a secular way for couples to be married regardless of whether or not they subscribe to any religion or what that religion might be, thereby ensuring equal rights to citizens of all creeds.
Allowing marriage equality would allow the state government to officially marry same-sex couples.
Thus, the only scenario in which rights are infringed upon or people are oppressed is if individuals are told by the state as to whom they can and cannot marry.
Until same-sex couples are officially recognized by the state in marriages, student groups such as the Student Coalition for Marriage Equality should be supported in the quest for equal rights for all citizens.