Civil Rights Violation? You Decide.

Marriage: Defined as a union between one man and one woman. This is how 27 state constitutions read - prohibiting same-sex marriage.

California, Arizona and Florida all passed proposed amendments on the November ballot. The amendment passed in California with 52.5 percent of the vote. In Florida, the effort passed with 62 percent in favor.

But I have to ask... is this a civil rights violation?

Many will argue that it is not. They will say that our founding fathers intended for unions to only be between men and women. They will say that is the way it has always been, so that is the way it should always be. But with all due respect to our founding fathers, we do not live in the 1700s.

Civil rights is defined as rights belonging to an individual by virtue of citizenship, especially the fundamental freedoms and privileges guaranteed by the 13th and 14th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution and by subsequent acts of Congress, including civil liberties, due process, equal protection of the laws and freedom from discrimination.

The 13th amendment refers to slavery, but the 14th amendment, in my opinion, clearly demonstrates a current violation of this right.

14th amendment, section 1 - No state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty or property without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

Freedom from discrimination.

Do I believe marriage should be defined as only between one man and one woman? No... because it isn't my place to tell others how to live and who to live with. This definition discriminates against those who choose an alternative lifestyle. This definition violates the very rights everyone is entitled to under the Constitution.

Whatever one's opinion is on the subject, it shouldn't determine someone's rights. Agree with it or not, no one has the right to tell others how to live their lives or who to choose as a partner.

We are afforded the freedom to say what we want, to practice the religion of our choice, to carry fire arms if we choose to do so, to assemble peacefully... and every man and woman should be afforded the right to marry as he or she sees fit, without discrimination.