Gay people are human beings. Surprised? To a vast majority of Americans, this is a hazy concept. Judging by what is said about them, the hatred toward them and the politicians looking to strip their rights, it looks like we have a serious problem on our hands.

When people hear the word discrimination, they often think of race. I think of the hostility toward homosexuals. Racism is still a large problem in this country, and what happened at this very university several weeks ago proves that, but people of color have nothing to hide. Their color is on their skin, exposed for everyone to see proudly. Many gay Americans will hide their colors to the public for fear of being ridiculed. Living in fear is no way to live and in no way a part of the American Dream. Just because of your sexual preference, you are bound and trapped in a world that certainly isn’t the same world that heterosexuals live on, that is for sure. Is there really any difference between the way African Americans have been treated and the way homosexuals are treated in this country today?

A couple of months ago, former NBA player John Amaechi came out of the closet, admitting to the public that he is homosexual. When asked by reporters if he ever felt free in the NBA, Amaechi responded, “Never. Just lonely, isolated and afraid.” It was players like Tim Hardaway who were the cause of this. “You know, I hate gay people, so I let it be known,” Hardaway said. “I don’t like gay people and I don’t like to be around gay people.”

In the four major sports, there is not one openly gay athlete. Out of 3,706 professional athletes, it is hard to believe there is not a single person who is gay. It is OK to disclose your sexuality, but it is sad to think we live in a world where people feel the need to disclose such important information about themselves so their teammates won’t disown them.

Race is always a big issue in presidential elections. Would America be ready for a gay president? I think not. When we have a current President who will do anything in his power to make an amendment to the Constitution banning gay marriage, it speaks volumes to where our country is.

Love is love. We are talking freedom here, not religious views. If being restricted to choose whom you want to legally spend the rest of your life with is part of this freedom that we are guaranteed in this country, than I don’t know what freedom is.