Supreme Court sodomy ruling affirms rights

Those in the gay and lesbian community received perhaps their biggest triumph in the U.S. Supreme Court last week when justices proclaimed that the government should not interfere with sexual activities occurring behind closed doors.

This general assumption has long since been accepted by society with certain exceptions, most of which have to do with sexual crimes. In Texas, the state whose law was contended in the 6-3 ruling, sodomy was a prosecutable violation. With the landmark ruling, gays and lesbians can now practice in any part of the country virtually any sexual act they deem fit, which is exactly as it should be.

Sexual activities are clearly part of human nature, and societal standards should reflect that. To be able to proudly proclaim one’s sexual orientation in public, but not to be able to practice what one preaches within the confines of one’s home, is absurd.

Yet Justice Antonin Scalia wrote a lashing dissenting opinion, saying the decision "effectively decrees the end of all morals legislation," and added the court has "largely signed on to the so-called homosexual agenda." Furthermore, Scalia noted, the decision all but opens the door to homosexual marriages.

To the dissent, we respond: sexual orientation, many would say, is inherited, not learned. This country touts its anti-discrimination laurels, yet three members of the Supreme Court were ready to pass moral legislation that discriminates against those with different traits and beliefs than them? How so?

As to whether the Supreme Court has indeed signed onto a homosexual agenda, or whether the decision will lead to gay marriage, we ask this: so what?

Homosexuality is an accepted lifestyle, more and more so each day. While a handful of society may adamantly oppose that lifestyle, the Supreme Court showed last week that it is ready to get with the program.

The Supreme Court got it right — homosexuals deserve the same rights as heterosexual America, on the streets and in the sheets.