Some have considered it America's new civil rights movement; others feel that it's America crumbling to the beat of a new drum-an Alternative one.

However, the decision was not a hasty or impulsive one.

The debate over same sex marriages in Massachusetts began in two years ago, when seven gay couples went to their city and town halls to obtain marriage licenses. All were denied, but with the 4-3 decision made by the state's high court, I'm sure they'll be back with rings on fingers and marriage certificates in hand.

And the growth of Alternative America moves on.

The gay and lesbian communities have had several victories this year, with the U.S. Supreme Court striking down anti-sodomy laws, the ordination of an openly gay bishop in the Episcopal Church, and a Canadian appeals court ruling that it was unconstitutional to deny gay couples the same marriage rights as heterosexual couples.

Belgium and the Netherlands also have legalized gay marriage.

With that in mind, meet a postal worker/Army reservist who would like to go by the name of "Ralph". Though he didn't specify if he was homosexual, he said that, "Hey, if it works for them go for it everybody needs somebody and there's somebody out there for every one."

Some members of the homosexual community, such as a male homosexual stripper from Sumter, South Carolina that goes by the name 'caca,' said, "I like it, and I might try it."

He added that he never thought America would give a decision like that in any state, and that society has evolved into a more liberal accepting environment."

For a country whose founding fathers held a conservative view on the American family and its values, the movement of 'Alternative America' shows one of two things: Either it's values are changing, or more people are listening to the sounds of change in this country. Either way, just as it was for African-Americans, it will take time.

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