by Katie Lane

Created on: October 05, 2008

In perhaps one of the most highly profiled state law cases to have ever hit the US, Google has officially given its words: Californians, please vote no on Proposition 8.

"Prop 8?" you may wonder as an American citizen, or perhaps a citizen of another country. "What's that?"

To explain what Prop 8 is, one must go back to the time where gay marriage was legalised in California. This proposition is something that is trying to take away that legal write that was bestowed upon gays and lesbians- for good.

As an American citizen, I acknowledge my right to free speech, freedom of press, freedom of thought. Many people, included conservatives, would agree with these statements. It is what makes me an American, and I have all these writes.

But tell me how, exactly, as a woman, am I only allowed to be married to a man? This doesn't only take away my right to marry a woman, but it takes away my right to choose- marry someone of the opposite sex, or don't marry at all.

The struggle of marriage has historical backings, too- most of us can't remember a time where African-Americans weren't allowed to get married, but there was a time where the only black marriages conducted were that of jumping over a broomstick, and this wasn't legal. It took a long and hard struggle for African-Americans to get to where they did.

Looking back on that time, people must've said back then the same sorts of things that those who will vote 'Yes' on Proposition 8: "It's ungodly; it's immoral; it's disgusting; these people aren't real people." And if any of these things sound familiar, it's because they've been present in every single rights struggle in American history.

So why now? Hasn't America gotten over the struggle of human rights? Apparently, no. Many people as Americans fail to see the contributions of gays and lesbians to society when they're so apparent. Take, for example, Ellen. Ellen has contributed many things to society- she has donated to several charities, made many people laugh, and has spread the news to so many people daily. However, Ellen is a lesbian, and for that reason alone, many people despise her.

There are countless other examples that I could share with you, but this is beside the point. Even prisoners are allowed basic rights- this includes the right to love someone unconditionally. However, where do the conditions end? If I wanted to marry a woman, because I loved her unconditionally, I couldn't, because the 'conditions' of our country do not allow that.

So many

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