One step in the right direction

Governor Cuomo signed legislation allowing same-sex marriage on June 24.  This is a HUGE step in the right direction.  Allowing thousands of couples to receive the same right many heterosexual couples takes for granted creates a more equal footing for everyone.  For decades, the LGBT community has fought for their rights- from being able to be recognized to rights of transgenders and beyond- and now it seems like their fight is coming to fruition.  It has been a long and tiresome journey, but it has paid off. 
I suspect that with New York passing this legislation, other states will follow suite.  This is a huge step in human rights progress. Not only does it give people a right that many took for granted, but it also allows these couples- who are just as in love and no different than their heterosexual counterparts- to have the 1000s of benefits attached to marriage. When people normally think of marriage benefits, they think of financial things.  However, marriage allows for much more than that.  How would you feel if your spouse was dying in the hospital, but you could not see him/her because you were not married?  Or if you could not jointly adopt because you were not married?  Or how would you feel if you loved someone more than anything, but no state would recognize that love because of who you were? Marriage is a sacred union, and now it is sacred for all.
Marriage has long been deemed a heterosexual act.  And in 1996, Clinton passed DOMA, which says marriage is the union between a male and a female.  However, America has progressed since then, especially since Obama has been in office.  Since Obama has been in office DOMA and DADT have been repealed.  And now with this legislation being passed I cannot help but smile. 
Maybe there is hope for America, after all.