Illustration by Cody Angell

It's challenging to discuss current issues without a reference to Sept. 11 emerging. It's as if that particular day has truly begun to re-form the very fabric of the nation. And so, even a discussion about new rights for minorities may originate from that fateful day. In fact, however clichˇ it is, there has been a recent string of silver linings found in dark clouds like the Sept. 11 attack.

Same-sex partners have made strides in a myriad of recent court hearings, paperwork shenanigans and through large, respected medical associations. In every situation, the victory comes from a crisis, unfortunately, but change is never easy. Is it too idealistic to ponder whether a crisis can't bring us all together, to love and to cherish humanity? Probably·

At any rate, in California, a woman carrying groceries into her apartment was mauled by a large dog and killed as the dog's owner watched, mystified. A bizarre and disturbing incident, the dog's owner was found guilty of second-degree murder last month. An interesting side note, however, came out of this case when it turned out that the victim was gay and had been in a committed relationship. That particular fact is not out of the ordinary, but it became extraordinary when a judge ruled that the victim's partner, Sharon Smith, could file civil suits in a court of law with similar rights a legally wedded husband would have in a similar situation. Legally, it makes perfect sense. After years of a common-law marriage, cohabitating, sharing expenses, etc., Smith should have every right to file a wrongful death suit in a civil court like any spouse can. But this is a new thing for the courts. Change is a-coming.

After Sept. 11, there were many partners in the same position as Sharon Smith. Many were left as veritable widows and widowers who had lost both their partners and perhaps their partner's income that may have been sustaining their livelihood. At first, it seemed that only husbands, wives and children would be able to get access to some of the funds donated, but soon life partners began to succeed in finding charities that would help with paying rent and the utilities. Again, this was another step in the right direction coming from the changes caused by a tragedy.

Last week, one more change was made in the field of human rights. The American Academy of Pediatrics put out a statement saying it will officially "support the rights of gay men and lesbians to adopt their partners' children." After years of research, studies are showing that children raised by same-sex partners are as well adjusted socially and psychologically as those of straight partners. This is a fairly weighty statement coming from the academy because in the past, the academy has enjoyed tremendous respect with legislatures and courts because it represents 55,000 pediatricians nationwide. Currently, the Associated Press reports that three states ban such adoptions, and seven states plus Washington, D.C., permit them through laws on the books or court rulings. The research by the American Academy of Pediatrics could show a change in the coming months in states that have been curbing and restricting the rights of life partners.

What does all this mean? Is it possible that since Sept. 11, the nation has begun to focus more on the similarities we all share, instead of a constant focus on our differences? A popular slogan reads: Feminism is the radical idea that women are human too. That slogan can be applied more universally: Humanity is the radical idea that we are all a part of the human race. Not as catchy, but it works. These changes signify that the nation is moving to a place where we can accept that, after a tragedy, we are all entitled to grieve and then to seek assistance. They also signify that, if prepared, we are all born capable of helping to raise and love a child, no matter what our sexual orientation may turn out to be. This is just another way society is beginning to legitimize already justifiable relationships. Fate has a funny way about it. There always seems to be a little sunshine during the storms.