In this article, Andrew Sullivan acknowledges and applauds the government of California for finally recognizing homosexuals as equal individuals, not as outcasts with disorders and bad behavior. He simultaneously continues to argue that such recognition should become a standard aspect of American culture and legislation. His argument is effective because he uses the example of California’s new law (even specifically quoting it) to enhance his own argument and to back up his position by showing that it’s not out of reach.
Sullivan goes so far as to analyze the transition of homosexuality in America from disgrace to popular culture, which has culminated in Calfornia’s new ruling. This use of California’s legislation as a major stepping stone for gays really frames and holds up his argument, and gives an interesting and captivating dual-nature to his article. He reports an event while continuing the argument and opening up new questions and dialogue about the issue.
He furthers his argument even more by relating it to the Civil Rights movement, making a very good point by saying that once some legislation is passed and some headway is made for a minority group, the general population is better able to get behind the group and stand up for their rights. In his words, “once that consensus had been accepted, the denial of [a right becomes], for many, a constitutional outrage.”
Later in the article, he goes on to discuss the value and importance of marriage–what it means to our society–and the emotional and psychological impacts that the term can have for homosexuals. This is an interesting point which Sullivan backs up with events from his own life. The fact that he is also gay and has dealt with this issue on a personal level gives a large amount of credibility to his argument. He argues that being married makes gay people feel more accepted in their communities and in the country as a whole, and allows them to be part of something bigger that is not exclusive to homosexuals. Bringing the focus back around to the new legislation passed in California, he closes his argument well, leaving the reader with new ideas and a more educated and developed view and understanding of homosexuality.
