With the ban on same sex marriage in California being declared unconstitutional in a recent court decision, society as a whole takes a step further toward true equality for all American citizens.

Proposition 8 was a ballot proposition and constitutional amendment that voters passed in November 2008. This proposition added to the California Constitution that only marriage between a man and a woman was considered valid or recognized in the state of California. Rightfully, Prop. 8 was deemed unconstitutional as of Feb. 7, 2012.

Prop. 8 went against human rights and was an unjust law. If two people are in love, no matter what their sexual preference, they should be allowed to get married.

Everyone should be allowed the same opportunities to love and be loved, to find happiness, and to find someone to share the rest of their lives with. If they choose to celebrate their love by marriage, they should be allowed.

Gay people aren’t responsible for ruining the “sanctity” of marriage. The United States is ranked No. 1 for having highest divorce rate in the world and that has nothing to do with same-sex marriages.

If people like Tiger Woods and Jesse James are allowed to get married and have sexual relations with women who aren’t their wives, then why can’t we give same sex partners the chance to preserve the sanctity of marriage that has been tarnished by Woods and James?

People like Britney Spears, who had a 55-hour marriage, Kim Kardashian, whose $10 million wedding only lasted 72 days, or Larry King, who has been divorced eight times, are the people ruining the sanctity of marriage.

Even non-celebrity couples make rash, unplanned decisions about marriage, as seen in the Las Vegas elopements or weddings of convenience.

Marriage is something people believe in and its power is different to every person. What it stands for and what it means is determined by people individually.

In the end everyone needs to, in a sense, “but out” of what others are doing and live their lives as they want, with their own beliefs.