Gay rights. These two words are raising a lot of awareness right now in the United States. Everyone seems to be arguing about it, throwing their agreements or disagreements back and forth.

Some may argue that America is “One Nation, under God,” but is it really anymore? More and more states are adopting the right to legally marry your same-sex spouse. The most recent state to do so is New Jersey.

Last April, when 12-year NBA veteran, Jason Collins, came out, it sparked a lot of interest.

“I’m a 34-year-old NBA center. I’m black. And I’m gay,” wrote Collins in an article for the May 6 issue of Sports Illustrated.

He has received both positive, and negative feedback regarding his announcement.

Teens hear the negative and positive response to Collins and other homosexuals from social media, television and even church ministers.

A youth pastor from the church and school I used to attend makes his disaffection for homosexuality known. When I asked him his opinions recently via Facebook messages, he was forthcoming.

“I think it is wrong to be gay because I believe in the inerrant Word of God,” he said.

He backs up his statement with the Bible verses, Romans 1:26-27.

“For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet.”

He suggests that when you, “Take a naked man and a naked women then put them next to one another, it just fits. As a kid you were taught to put the round peg in the round hole. It is natural it fits and you were rewarded for it.” 

When asked why he thinks states have begun to recognize gay marriage, Holt said he believes America is becoming a God-less nation.

I disagree.

I believe there is nothing wrong with being gay. I believe that gay marriage should be legalized because America is a free country. I believe there is nothing wrong with being gay or lesbian. Marriage should be free, just, and legal to every American citizen, gay or straight.

Take a gay man, and a straight man, and stand them next to each other. You wouldn’t be able to tell which one is gay, and which one is straight. You could do the same with a woman. People who are gay or lesbian should receive the same legal marriage rights as those who are straight because they’re entitled to a happy life and marriage just as a straight couple is.

Gay rights should be legalized in every state in the United States. Until then, we’ll rejoice every time a new state declares their announcement of legal marriage for those who are gay.