Shea Phelan and Eva Knudsen
Staff Writers
June 26th 2015 was a life-changing day for the gay community in the United States. The rainbow colors, representing the legalization of gay marriage, lit up the Supreme Court House.
About 60% of Americans support gay marriage, and in U.S. Obergefell v. Hodges, a ruling has now legalized gay marriage so that in the 14 states where it was illegal, lesbians and gays can now legally get married.
At Foran High School, there are many clubs to join and even create. One of the clubs here is the GSA Club (Gay Straight Alliance Club). The club is a group of both gay and straight teens who are supportive of the alliance between the two. They help create a trusting environment for everyone around them by fundraising and doing events. The advisor of the club at Foran is Mrs. Voss, and she has wanted to help kids with this issue since she was in high school in Arizona.
When asked about the issue today and about the club, Voss said, “I’ve been aware of the discrimination and marginalization experienced by the LGBT community for many years. When I was in high school, there was no GSA club—no support of this kind within the school community.” She wants to do what she can do to offer the support to her students. She wants to help them since she didn’t have the help in her teenage years.
Kim Davis, a clerk from Kentucky, refused to issue same-sex marriage licenses and was sent to jail. Davis’ lawyers thought she would just get a fine. People that supported Davis rallied outside of the courthouse Labor Day weekend.
Nicolette Simone said, “I think it’s a great thing that we are slowly but surely reaching equality for all people no matter what race, age, gender or sexuality. This is just one prime example of how the world is becoming more accepting of the people around them.”
Simone supports the legalization of gay marriage and was “genuinely upset” because of the mass amount of attention it received when Davis was ultimately breaking the law.
Despite Davis’ claims, several officials and the governor said that the recently issued licenses are valid. Davis broke a law that day and deserves more repercussions. She went back to work unscathed after spending five days in jail.
Julia Kopstein said, “She should keep her personal beliefs out of her work.”
