Tuesday, February 03, 2004

I enjoyed this column in the Advocate.

My response:

I rather enjoyed Ms. Gibson’s recent column , she made many heartfelt and well reasoned points concerning same sex marriage. I agree with and even support most of her assertions, but those same points do not prove that marriage is a right. In fact I would argue that this is the problem with the institution today.

People take marriage for granted. They believe it is an inalienable right, one that affords them the opportunity to marry whomever, whenever, and however often with minimal foresight of future consequences. Marriage should be treated as a serious undertaking and more importantly a momentous responsibility. It is the most meaningful act two people will participate in, except for parenthood, which should involve the former, but I will tackle one issue at a time.

I am not a legal expert, though it is readily apparent that same sex marriage is not directly addressed in the Federal Constitution or in the legal annals of most states. That is not a major issue since many legal rights, especially those dealing with equality, are inferred rather than specifically outlined. However, as I stated before marriage is less a right than a responsibility. Heterosexuals have sullied the sanctity of marriage. Quickie marriages, with even quicker divorces, are commonplace. Many folks marry based on superficial rationale, or simply on a whim, which inevitably leads to disaster. Yet allowing gay marriage because traditional joinings have failed miserably, is not a valid reason in of itself. Those who decry homosexual marriage as morally and legally reprehensible are not going to readily accept it because traditional marriage has failed.

The only reasonable , and with my limited understanding legal, means to sanctioned gay marriage is through he legislature. While, I may disagree with the position of Jay Hottinger, I do respect how he goes about implementing it. Rather then relying on judges to “make” new law, same sex marriage advocates should write their elected officials, especially those in the state and federal congress, and demand legal recognition of theirright to be responsible.

Go to Hell