Yet another Gay Marriage Question?

Question

Marriage, in nearly all countries and cultures, is an exclusionary instuition that actively promotes and accentuates bigotry. In nearly all jurisdictions homosexual (and in some cases, mixed race or mixed faith) couples are prevented from enjoying the same marriage right heterosexual couples do. Why would a progressive individual want to support such a homophobic practice?

Answer 1

The practice isn't in itself homophobic, it is the people who make and interpret the laws that are homophobic.

If you have an issue with coupling in a loving monogamous relationship, then there is little to discuss. You move on and be happy.

If however you feel there are intrinsic benefits to a legally binding agreement between adults, then lets deal with it as just that. A legal union, to protect the vested interest of both parties. The county courthouse does not sanctify marriage, they just make it legal. Only religion can sanctify marriage, and I have no problem if XYZ Church says no to gay couples according to their beliefs. I take issue when the state says that I as a citizen of this country should be denied the same benefits of marriage and legal protections as my straight brother. And it is for that reason I fight for the right to make my commitment legal. My union with my partner should be protect and afforded the same benefits as any other citizen. To deny us that protection is to deny us protection based on religous dogma that (at least in America) are not to be part of secular governing.

What other nations and customs do is of no consequence to me, though I wish our LGBT friends there well. I want the protection for myself and my partner, does not mean I subscribe to the baggage the zealots and history have saddled it with.

Answer 2

The issue in all of these marriage debates is the nature of marriage itself. It is an institution that really needs to be evaluated. Some (not even most) of the ideas surrounding it are noble and lovely. But much of what has driven the institution historically has little to do with romance, love and fidelity. There are many such institutions in ours and other cultures that eventually are abandoned or re figured. This will and has been happening with marriage as well. It is best to lose the myths and dark motives that perpetuate an institution, separating them from whatever lovely , noble, positive reasons that exist for their continuance or reformatting. Many of the old reasons for maintaining the status quo of marriage as an institution are about racism, xenophobia, homophobia, class discrimination, control and good old fashioned greed. Sifting through what's good and not so good will take a bunch more generations to figure out. Hopefully the end result will be able to keep the best and lose the worst features of an institution that has a dark and ambiguous history.

Answer 3

An excellent question Mr. Matt

I don't think by pushing the state to recognise same sex unions that we are perpetuating the heterocentricism of the institution. I think we are pushing the state to move past this and into a more progressive and egalitarian model.

I have heard debate as to whether we SHOULD get married or not for these same reasons.

It's odd but I have a pretty conservative side...and it is this tiny little pinstripe wearing fiscal conservative in me that wants gay marriage most. I pay a hideous amount in taxes now and see straight people getting nice breaks in terms of taxation, proprty and inheritance rights etc granted to them by the state....if I can't get these benefits I want a tax break....a BIG one.

Answer 4

Marriage now is not what it has been in the past, and what it might be in the future will be more inclusive toward others. Times are changing. Many countries do allow gay Marriage(with full benefits). What was is not what always shall be.

In the past land ownership and voting was deemed the sole arena of males. By the standards of your question why should women wish to own land and vote, does this not perpetuate the Misogynistic discrimination of the past?

Answer 5

Arguments like this somewhat would not help - because of the fact I DO have self assurance that porn ought to be unlawful, etc. i recognize that i'm a sinner, saved via the grace of Almighty God= and regardless of sin that I surely have dedicated is a sin against the Lord. regardless of sin hinders me ought to flow- i'm no longer asserting that i'm sinless, as quickly as I oppose gay marriage. the certainty that i'm balloting sure on prop 8 in Calif. is a approaches extra effective than saving them from their sin. i can not try this. i'm purely status up for what God asks me to stand up for- the sanctity of marriage, between a guy and lady. AND sure, i'm against divorce besides, and that i recognize that Christians get divorce. you're saying that we factor hands, what are you doing?

Answer 6

marriage isn't homophobic, it's the people who make the laws that are. if we don't keep fighting for our rights and voting to put more fair-minded people in office, those homophobic restrictions can never be changed. I just want to have the legal right to marry the woman I love and have the same legal rights and benefits as any other American has.

Answer 7

I don't think anyone can answer that. I certainly can't.

I challenge anybody to tell me how Gay Marriage negatively affects ME.

And no, the answer is not "it's immoral", "God hates Gays", "It sets a bad example".

In MY country (the states) we have freedom of Religion. And I do not look at other marriages as an example of how to live mine. And if I did, heterosexuals aren't setting a good example.

And no, Government should not be defining Marriage. I said DEFINING. I did not say RE-DEFINING.

Answer 8

So that if one's partner is in the hospital, then one can see visit the partner.

That's one example of many reasons, along those lines. There are rights that go along with marriage, and as long as marriage is denied gays then those rights are denied them as well.

Answer 9

time to start changing people's views on gay marriage

Answer 10

.....you need to study up on your facts friend. Marriage has existed in many different forms throughout history and many of them have been inclusive to differing genders and faiths.