Tuesday, July 11, 2006
Gay Fray
I am not in favor of gay marriage. I am not against gay marriage. I am against any state sanctioned "marriage" be it between same sex or opposite sex partners. Why does the government have any hand in marriage to begin with?
Marriage is an phenomenon that is cultural and/or religious in nature. Making laws regarding culture and religion is not a charter of government. Keep marriage where it belongs - in churches, synagogues, mosques (for the religious) and in private homes, on beaches, ships or other settings for the secular. If a same sex couple (or opposite sex couple, for that matter) decides to enter into a committed relationship, they can call it anything they wish to call it. They can say they are "life partners" or "married" or "joined" or "frolicking through life together" or anything else they want to call it. No one can dictate what they call it nor prevent them from calling it whatever they please. If they wish to consider themselves married and announce publicly they are married, that is their right.
Now, there should be a legal concept that is a corollary to marriage - what is usually called a "civil union". This is in fact necessary as it is a contract and contract enforcement is indeed a function of government. The need for contract comes into play when a couple (same or opposite sex) decides to part ways. There has to be legal avenues where each party is ensured fair distribution of assets and/or legal custody and support of minors. This is a totally separate issue from what the union is called - it is a legal issue. And from a legal standpoint, every couple is entitled to equal protection.
This whole thing about legalizing gay marriage is so much a waste of time. Get government out of religion and culture, and while you're at it - out of every other aspect of our lives it doesn't belong in.
