Rachel Forster - Kentucky Clerk Denies Marriage licence

Article: http://www.cnn.com/2015/08/27/politics/same-sex-marriage-gay-marriage-kentucky/index.html

Summary: This article gives examples, in four different states, of same sex couples facing discrimination. In Kentucky, Kim Davis is refusing to marry all couples based on her belief that the Supreme Court decision legalizing gay marriage nationwide is an infraction on her religious freedom. The counterargument is that while she is more than welcome to practice her religion, it should never impact whether or not she fulfills her duties as Rowan County Clerk. The second display of discrimination described in this article is a law in Mississippi that says that “adoption by couples of the same gender is prohibited.” That law is deemed unfair because of its different treatment of homosexual couples. In Florida, two lesbian women are denied the right to both be included on their child’s birth certificate, despite the Supreme Court ruling. Lastly the article discusses Jack Phillips, a cake baker from Colorado, who refuses to provide his business to a gay wedding. His beliefs parallel Davis’s, in that he too believes that the first amendment protects his religious freedom and excuses his discriminatory actions.

Analysis: This article illustrates how even though we have laws in place to protect every American citizen, some gay couples are still facing discrimination and injustice. People such as Kim Davis, and Jack Phillips feel they can ignore the law because of their own personal views. The first amendment guarantees everyone freedom of religion, but not the right to deprive another citizen of their rights.   Beliefs are individual to each person, and should therefore not be imposed on others.

Synthesis: Gay marriage has been legalized by the Supreme Court, and yet individuals still take it upon themselves to fight the decision in order to uphold their own beliefs. This situation is similar to when the Supreme Court decided in the Brown vs. Board of Education case in 1954 that segregation was not just. In this instance George Wallace chose to oppose the decision by refusing to let black students go to the University of Alabama in 1963 because of his own prejudice. In both of these situations personal bigotry causes people to unjustly take away basic human rights of others.