It’s hard not to notice the media these days is filled with rather hateful and sad information. Little of it ever covers topics unless they’re bloody, embarrassing, or about a celebrity. But recently, there has been a turn in events that resembles something momentous. I’m of course referencing the Supreme Courts decision in regards to extending the right of marriage to homosexuals. People are finally able to marry whomever they wish. I was ecstatic when these events occurred. Like any college male, I turned to social media to read the news and see people’s reactions–whatever they might be. However, what shocked me the most wasn’t the hateful remarks, or the lack of interest in the decision, but rather, the sheer amount of wrong information people had about the topic and what the overreaching affects of the decision would be. So let me clear some things up for those that are unaware:

• People still cannot marry animals, items, or anything else ridiculous like that.

The only change to marriage this Supreme Court decisions changes is the fact that now gays and lesbians have their right to marry recognized within the states that refused to previously. A person can’t decide to marry their dog just because the court says that the right to marry is a fundamental right. Why can’t they you might ask? Well for one, I’d be willing to bet not too many people actually want to marry their dog, but if they did who cares? Back to the point, they cannot marry their dog, items, etc, because the institution of marriage is reserved for people. Not animals or items, which have no legal standing, the institution doesn’t apply to them.

• State’s rights have been ruined, the court overstepped.

Let's get something clear here, the 14^th amendment and the equal protection clause protects the rights for all U.S. citizens and trumps that whole pesky 10^th amendment that reserves rights not guaranteed to the Federal government to the states. However, federal protection supersedes states rights according to our Constitution. If you don’t like it, call your congressman and have them draft legislation to introduce a new amendment that would reinvigorate state rights, but good luck.

• The sanctity of marriage has been ruined.

An interesting area because most of you that feel that way are angry about the government controlling an area that is religious. On this area, I completely agree with you, separation of church and state was violated and ruined by government involvement long ago. However, you can’t have your cake and eat it too. If you don’t want marriage to be protected or regulated by the government, legislation should have never been introduced to “protect it” to begin with. I’m not even going to touch the religious aspect of this argument because I don’t have a dog in this fight. But let me remind you, that your biblical justification for hating this classification of people is rooted in the Old Testament and archaic beliefs. You should read the rest of the Bible, and come to realize that 99% of that book is about loving your neighbor and accepting people for who they are.