By Brandi Makuski

Overturning the state’s ban on gay marriage is not a gay rights issue: it’s a human rights issue.

It’s always interesting to me when some folks argue that gay marriage threatens traditional marriage- or any other “traditional” aspect of American life. Americans have enjoyed any number of fetishes and fantasies long before America even existed, and those private practices can be traced back thousands of years in history throughout the world.

Personally, I’ve always believed absent fathers and facial piercings were a bigger threat to tradition. Where’s the outrage over those issues?

But right now we’re faced with a possible disconnect in our typically- socially progressive community. It’s a disconnect which could break whatever bond of trust remains between the public and the elected officials in our community. After all, governments from both Portage County and Stevens Point have already voted to recognize domestic partnerships for purposes of employment benefits. So it makes sense that wider acceptance of same-sex couples- and legal marriage thereof- isn’t far behind. We’re just not there yet.

I’d also like to point out to some of my friends in this community that during these strides in equality, the sky has not fallen, dogs and cats are not living together, and we’ve seen no rash of mass hysteria.

Also note: local law enforcement haven’t reported any public gay orgies.

On the other hand, hit the dance floor in any number of bars or taverns around midnight on a Friday night: heterosexuals, by and large, seem to have no problem being overtly- and inappropriately- physically affectionate in a public setting. There’s no outrage there, either.

Don’t forget- in some parts of the country, “traditional” marriage once meant having six wives.

I make no pretense that religious individuals may have a fundamental problem with gay marriage, and that’s okay. Having been raised in a household still laboring under post-WWII morals, I’m not sure I approve, but that’s my problem.

Banning marriage between any persons means limiting personal freedom. The opinions and misconceptions of others isn’t supposed to dictate an individual’s personal life.

If we’re going to stay in the habit of granting civil rights based on what happens inside the confines of an individual’s mind, home and bedroom, then we must do so without any double standards, which means great many citizens are doomed to second- class citizenship.

But for now, we may have to all exercise a little patience until the law is formally changed.

Not having a marriage certificate doesn’t change the relationship you have with your significant other. The license itself makes the logistics of life easier, but otherwise is only a symbol of the love two people have for each other.

But that marriage license also means absolutely nothing unless you chose whose names are written upon it.