After much controversy and discussion the gay marriage ban in North Carolina has officially been terminated. Federal Judge Max O. Cogburn, Jr. made the decision on October tenth of this year.

According to CNN, North Carolina is now one of twenty nine states in the US in which gay marriage is legal. Immediate action was taken by North Carolina and other states to initiate equal marriage rights for all when the opportunity arose. The New York Times reported “The decision to let the appeals court rulings stand”  is what ultimately led up to the decision of many states legalizing gay marriage.

This issue has been extremely pressing in recent years. Many are offended by the thought of two men or women being wed. Usually the issue lies within the confines of their religious beliefs and/or personal discomfort.

Everyone is entitled to their own beliefs and opinions, but on the other hand, everyone should also be entitled to love and marry whomever they choose. It goes against the foundation of our country to tell someone otherwise. Especially if this issue is opposed for religious reasons. It is paramount that church and state remain separate. We are a democracy not a theocracy.

It is baffling that others would be so self involved to inflict their own beliefs on to others. They want everything “their way” which affects the way others live negatively. For example, if there were two men who have been partners for years and one of them is the breadwinner and the other passes, his partner is left with nothing. They miss out on tax and other financial benefits and that is just the beginning. A heart bending element these citizens miss out on is getting to call the one they love their husband or wife.

We need to stop holding others to our beliefs because everyone has a right to live by their own means. America is the land of the free but this country seems anything but that if we are restrict fellow citizens of basic rights. Whether one believes in gay marriage or not it shouldn’t matter. If a couple is married or not it does not affect anyone’s lives but their own. So, why are people standing in the way of others if it will have no real effect on their own lives? We should be allowing others the same rights we expect for ourselves and should live the life they choose.