This week, the Justice Department is legalizing same-sex marriage rights throughout the nation. Seventeen states have already legalized same-sex marriage. The Justice Department is now requiring all states to recognize same-sex marriage rights.

Arrowhead senior Rebecca Frazier said, “Marriage is a right all individuals should have. Who cares what your preference is? Marriage is marriage.”

This new policy is not legalizing same-sex marriage in all states. It is only legalizing same-sex rights be acknowledged. It is still against the law for same-sex couples to marry in states where gay marriage is illegal. Once married, no state has the right to deny marriage rights to homosexual couples.

Currently, Wisconsin State Law does not recognize same-sex marriages. This means homosexual couples are not allowed to get married in the state of Wisconsin. This also means married couples of the same-sex that move to Wisconsin are not legally recognized as a married couple and thus do not have any marriage rights in the state.

Arrowhead senior Nick Sornsen said, “Although this is a step in the right direction, I think Congress needs to legalize same-sex marriage across the board.”

This change will provide new policies and guidelines for same-sex marriages. Same-sex spouses will obtain the right to file jointly for bankruptcy. It will also give couples to refuse to testify against their spouse in the court of law.

Frazier said, “This generation is a lot more accepting than the prior generation. I hope this gets passed soon. It’ll make my friends happier because they’ll start to finally have the same rights as hetero-couples.”

Same-sex marriages will now have the same visitation rights as married couples with federal inmates. They will also be recognized for certain benefits, such as the Sept. 11 Compensation Fund.

Frazier said, “Everyone should have the right to marry. We are all human beings, aren’t we?”