Three More Steps Toward Equality

Most Americans (though sadly not all) would like for America to honor the dream of equality -- both equality under the law and equality of opportunity. And they would like for that equality to include all Americans -- regardless of age, sex, color, race, ethnicity, religion (or lack thereof), or sexual preference. Unfortunately, that has never been the case in the United States.

But things are getting better, thanks to many brave people who take a stand for equality. Because of them this nation grows closer to fulfilling that dream with each passing day. And in the last few days, three more steps toward true equality have been taken. They are:

1. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld a lower court ruling that the ignominious proposition 8 in California (which denied gays/lesbians the right to marry) is unconstitutional and should be vacated. The court held that the only purpose of this proposition was to single out a group of people and remove a right which they had, and that such a thing violates the "Due Process" and "Equal Protection" clauses of the U.S. Constitution. This fight is not over yet, since the right-wing haters will probably appeal to the Supreme Court -- but it is a definite step in the right direction.

2. The legislature in the state of Washington has passed legislation that will make it the seventh state to allow gays/lesbians to marry their loved one. The state Senate passed the measure last week, and yesterday the state House passed it on a 55 to 43 vote. The bill now goes to Governor Chris Gregoire. The governor has said she will sign the bill into law, and is expected to do so early next week.

3. Pentagon officials have announced that as many as 14,000 more jobs, including such fields as communications, mechanics, and intelligence, will now be open to women. Most of these new jobs will apply only to the Marines and Army, because the Air Force and Navy already allow women to do the jobs. The Pentagon is still considering whether to allow women into combat positions and will annouce that decision after further study. But this definitely a move in the right direction.

The battle for equality has not been won, and much more remains to be done. But I applaud the Americans who were responsible for these three steps toward a brighter future for all Americans.