The Government is So Gay
There is a big debate brewing all over the country on the issue of Gay Marriage. Today, through an act of the Massachusetts Judiciary’s interpretation of the state’s constitution, same sex couples will be able to get married. There has been much legal wrangling on this issue, with Governor Mit Romney fiercely opposing it. (Some NPR coverage with funny comments by Margaret Cho)
In a wider federal context, President Bush has proposed an amendment to the U.S. Constitution which would ban homosexual marriage.
My question is: Why is the government in the business of defining marriage?
The only reason that our government should dictate anything about marriage is because of the messiness when one dissolves. There are assets to split. Custody of children to decide. Child support. Alimony. These are the problems that must be dealt with when two people have intertwined their lives over a significant period of time. These problems don’t rely on the sexual orientation of the couple involved. There are plenty of homosexual couples who have had children or adopted children. Banks allow same sex couples to have joint accounts. Same-sex couples live together, combine their assets, and make large purchases together. Are there not the same legal problems when one of these relationships comes to an end?
Separation of church and state dictates that the government should not be involved in the religious aspects. George Bush’s remarks about same-sex marriage threatening the “sactity” of marriage comes dangerously close to associating a religious or holy motive to his views. This is unconstitutional. When statements like this are made, there should be an outcry. We have examples of governments that are dictated by religion in the middle-east. No Thanks!
It seems to me that the government should merely define a legal partnership. When a partnership dissolves, that dissolution should be subject to the rule of law. Leave the “sactity” discussion to the churches. If someone wants to marry a goat, let them… but partnerships would be between people. If three people want to form a partnership… let them. We let business do it. What does the government care? And if some crazy church wants to marry three people, who are we (or the government) to say no?
The government once had laws against whites marrying blacks. It seems to me they should get out of the business of defining marriage and stick to the practical problems that inevitably occur when its citizens come together and split apart.
Commit for life to your comment here.
May 18th, 2004 at 8:48 am
I am inspired! Thank you. HJB
June 30th, 2004 at 1:05 am
Same sex marriage on the surface doesn’t seem all that bad — why does it have to be political anyway? However, if you look a little deeper, there lies several problems. First and foremost is the definition of the family. In today’s politically correct society, we will no longer be able to say “husband and wife/mom and dad” — those will be discriminating sterotypes. All of our children’s textbooks will have to be re-written. The term ‘family’ will have to have its equal rights — therefore, by assuming someone has a mother and father will be taboo. Sex-ed will include teaching boys to service other boys “the right way”. To put it another way — I’m NOT inspired by your comments. Move to Canada.
August 2nd, 2004 at 5:26 pm
I don’t know where you come from Dubya, but I believe everyone is entitled to their opinion and viewpoint. So does the country I live in. And so are YOU in this discussion. You don’t have to be inspired by Gary’s comments. You have a good point about changing everyone’s paradigm. Comments like “Move to Canada” do not add anything to this discussion, however, and also take the reader’s attention away from whatever point you’re trying to make. If you want someone to value what you’re saying, if I were you, I’d leave out the sarcastic comments.
August 16th, 2004 at 4:14 pm
Dear Dubya,
The beauty of the United States is that the right to free speech allows ignorant, ill informed people to expose themeselves as such. Thanks for your comment. Thanks, too, for your suggestion, but I think I’ll stick around for your next total nonsequitur.
August 18th, 2004 at 11:39 am
“I may not like what you have to say, but I’ll defend to the death your right to say it.”
~Voltaire