Soapbox: Nation’s progress deserves a toast

Monday morning the U.S. Supreme Court made a huge decision: they decided to not make a decision.

The Court could have chosen from five different same-sex marriage cases, but they declined to hear any, effectively making gay marriage legal in 11 more states.

What this means for the long run remains to be seen, and people on both sides of the argument are a little disappointed that there will not be a hearing. However let’s appreciate the current state. There are 30 states where same-sex marriage is legal. Personally, I love weddings, so in the spirit of weddings I’d like to propose a toast.

I’d like to propose a toast to Derek Kitchen, Moudi Sbeity, Laurie Wood, Kody Partridge, Karen Archer and Kate Call, the six plaintiffs in Utah’s gay marriage case, for fighting for marriage equality in Utah.

I’d like to propose a toast to Judge Robert Shelby, for not only saying that it was constitutional but making his reasoning thorough and tight, knowing that it would be speculated.

I’d like to propose a toast to Colorado, Wyoming, Kansas, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Utah, Oklahoma, Indiana and Wisconsin for now being states that recognize marriage equality.

I’d like to propose a toast to Washington, Oregon, California, Minnesota, Iowa, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, New York, Maryland, Delaware, District of Columbia, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Illinois and New Mexico, the states that already allowed same-sex marriage.

I’d like to propose a toast to this countries divorce rate, which is currently at almost 50 percent. Hopefully after seeing how long and hard other people have fought for the right to marry the institution of marriage will be taken more seriously.

I’d like to propose a toast to the “slippery slope argument,” for being one of the most ridiculous things and probably doing more harm for the case against gay marriage than helping it. The argument is that if same-sex marriage is legal, then things like polygamy, incest, marrying inanimate objects and animals becomes more plausible.

I’d like to propose a toast to Herbert’s reaction to today’s announcement. Obviously upset with the ruling, or lack of it, he made it known that Utah will abide by it and should be respectful by saying, “I encourage all Utahns — regardless of their personal beliefs on this issue — to treat each other with respect.”

I’d like to propose a last toast to the future of marriage and the relative peace that this process has enjoyed. It would be easy for tempers to take over and disrespect to run rampant. At times it has, but the plaintiffs and people involved have said that there is respect given on both sides.

— Jeffrey Dahdah is a junior studying journalism. He aspires to report overseas. Please send comments to dahdahjm@gmail.com or on Twitter @dahdahusu.