Michigan Daily (U. Michigan)

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (U-WIRE) – Last Sunday, U.S. Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., received a standing ovation from the crowd as he concluded his speech supporting gay rights.

As a member and advocate for the gay community, Frank was invited to speak on the University of Michigan campus at a meeting sponsored by the recently formed Stonewall Democrats. He promoted honesty concerning sexual orientation while acknowledging the discrimination that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender teenagers face when they decide to be open regarding their sexual preference.

The congressman addressed a major part of his political agenda:his opposition to the Defense of Marriage Act, the state legislation passed in 1996 that defines marriage as only legal if it is between a man and a woman. It is the responsibility of the university community to oppose this legislation and join Frank in his support for the LGBT community and their right to legal marriage.

Similar legislation has already been enacted in 16 other states. This has been part of a disturbing trend nationwide that has led to the increasing marginalization and discrimination towards the LGBT community. The university community should recognize this legislation as blatantly intolerant and morally incongruent with a free and fair society.

Furthermore, opposing the Defense of Marriage Act should not be a matter of sexual preference. All students, no matter what their sexual persuasion or which organizations they belong to, must collectively condemn the effort to deny gay and lesbian couples the right to marriage.

In order to be even more effective in showing support for this issue, however, students should take an active stance behind this issue. Attending or planning events similar to the one sponsored by the Stonewall Democrats, writing to state and federal legislators or simply familiarizing oneself with LGBT issues are all great ways to advocate and help support gay rights.

Frank moved many members of the Ann Arbor, Mich., community as he discussed the obstacles he faced as a Jewish, gay man striving to be a U.S. representative. His visit to the university demonstrates a progressive stance towards all members of our community and a noble effort in the fight for LGBT rights. This is an issue in desperate need of attention, and by playing a more substantive role in the debate, the university community can help spread acceptance of gay rights in the United States.

These views do not necessarily reflect those of the Daily Egyptian.