Today in the United States, a vote by the Supreme Court has issued that all 50 states are to now recognize marriage equality and grant same-sex couples marriage licenses.
There is so much joy in my heart over this. And what's even better, I'm seeing it everywhere. People all across this great nation are rejoicing together, the LGBT community and their allies. I've been a proud ally for many years and to see this historical moment is truly awe-inspiring.
Back when I wrote my first gay romance book, Conquest, I hadn't thought I'd written anything different than any other romance story. It just happened the two protagonists were men who were in love with each other. I learned quickly once I sought a publisher that others didn't view the love between two men the same. Of course I'd known there was bigotry and discrimination out there, but seeing how hateful people could be fueled my desire to get that book published and write more and more and more stories with gay protagonists.
It was more than ten years ago when I started writing Conquest, nearly six years since it's been published. Back then, marriage equality seemed so far away. Minds and attitudes needed to be changed. A dramatic shift toward acceptance, understanding, and compassion needed to happen. Battles needed to be fought. But now, today, June 26, 2015, the dream of equality has come true for people all across the land.
There is so much happiness radiating across the United States and through the world right now. And that's what equality brings - happiness, prosperity, and love.
Certainly, there are dissenters. Some politicians in a couple of states are saying they're going to fight the Supreme Court decision. Not sure where they're going to take that fight since, you know, the Supreme Court is the highest law in the justice system. I've also seen some people waving their Bibles around as if to see who has the biggest scripture against homosexuality. What they don't seem to understand is that if you're using your religion to hurt others, you're using it wrong. Furthermore, religion isn't needed for two people to get married and certainly a Bible isn't required. Granting the rights and license to two people in love harms no one else and takes away the rights of none. And now, by this action of the Supreme Court, zealots are no longer allowed to use religion as an excuse to deny others their unequivocal right to be married.
I'm proud of the people who have fought for years for this moment and never gave up on seeing this dream come true. I'm proud of the Supreme Court Justices who voted for marriage equality and of President Obama for being a strong supporter. I'm proud to have been an ally and will continue to be one against discrimination. I'm proud of so many people coming together in the United States to stand up for what's right, for not backing down, for showing our American spirit in that we will not stop fighting until there is freedom and equality for all in this nation.
Today, the greatest of victories has been achieved. Love and equality have won!
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