"Under the acacia tree: A stand for Equality "

 Name: Mary Cherry A. Rusiana

Grade & section: 12-Sartre

I still remember the day my ateko (ate-kuya) Charlotte whispered to me under the shade of an old acacia tree, his voice trembling like leaves dancing in the wind “Do you think it’s wrong to love someone of the same gender?” His eyes carried both hope and fear, as if the world would collapse depending on my answer. I looked at him, at the sincerity carved into his face, and I realized—love, in its purest form, has no boundaries.

‎One of the strongest reasons why I stand for same-sex marriage is simple yet profound: everyone deserves equal rights. To deny two people the chance to marry just because they share the same gender feels like painting the sky and commanding the sun not to shine. It is unfair. Love is not a privilege for a chosen few; it is a right that belongs to all. When we reject same-sex marriage, we are not just rejecting couples—we are rejecting equality itself. Allowing it, however, shows that our society values respect for every heartbeat, no matter whose chest it belongs to.

‎I also believe that marriage rests on the solid foundation of love. Imagine a home built not of bricks, but of trust, loyalty, and faithfulness. That is what marriage should be. Gender does not weaken those walls, nor does it change the meaning of love. Two men holding hands, or two women exchanging vows, embody the same commitment as any other couple. What matters most is that their love is genuine, unshaken by storms, and willing to endure for a lifetime.

‎And lastly, I support same-sex marriage because it opens the doors of acceptance and understanding. When people witness love in its many colors—whether it comes as red roses or yellow sunflowers—they learn that love cannot be confined to a single shade. Supporting same-sex marriage helps dismantle hate, bullying, and discrimination. It builds a society where no one hides behind shadows, where every person can walk freely, embraced for who they truly are.

‎I go back to that moment under the acacia tree. I told my ateko,"No, it’s not wrong. Love is never wrong. His smile bloomed like sunlight after a long rain. And in that instant, I knew why I stand firmly: because love, in all its forms, is the most beautiful truth humanity will ever know.