It’s going to take a while before Louisiana catches up to the equal rights movement, and the fact that four same-sex couples are suing the state for their marriages — legalized in other states — to be recognized is evidence of this fact.
Forum for Equality, one of the most prominent gay rights groups in Louisiana, filed a lawsuit on Wednesday that, if successful, will allow same-sex unions performed elsewhere to be recognized in the state.
The fact that the group has to resort to a lawsuit to advocate for the rights of the LGBT community reflects how backward states like Louisiana still are.
Just to clarify, this lawsuit is in no way aiming to get Louisiana to start performing gay marriages.
Instead, it is a plea for the state to start recognizing unions made in the 17 states where gay marriage is legal and to grant these people the rights that, as a married couple, they deserve.
I applaud Forum for Equality for sticking up for the gay community of Louisiana. It’s about time someone challenged the old-fashioned backwardness of the state’s laws, and even if this is a small step, it is a step toward equality.
We’re all human beings, and we all have the same rights.
One of the arguments included in the lawsuit is the fact that Louisiana won’t allow same-sex couples to file joint tax returns, which means filing taxes as a “single” rather than a “married” person.
On the other hand, same-sex couples are allowed to file federal tax returns jointly. But the forms have to match the state returns, which means couples would have to be giving false information to the government to satisfy an antiquated belief system.
Another issue the lawsuit seeks to resolve is the ability of same-sex couples to have joint custody of children, something they are not currently able to do in Louisiana.
Right now, only one of the individuals in the union is granted custody of children. The concern is that if something were to happen — like the death of that individual — then the other person would have no legal tie to the child.
Some wonder why married members of the LGBT community don’t move to another state, and I personally believe this is a nonsensical attempt at a solution to the issue.
Suggesting that a person relocate to avoid unfair treatment is a violation of the person’s civil rights. Every American has the right to the pursuit of happiness, no matter what state they live in.
Civil rights shouldn’t be a legal issue. No matter who we are or who we want to spend our days with, we should all be given the same rights under the law.
In the U.S., where every day another state legalizes gay marriage, it should be the states’ job to make laws fair for all.
While it may take some time for Louisiana to legalize gay marriage, the rights of already married couples should be respected and guaranteed.
Jose Bastidas is a 20-year-old mass communication junior from The Woodlands, Texas.