Personally, I favor the idea of gay marriage. From my perspective, it strengthens the concept of marriage by extending it. By accepting, one broadens the acknowledgement of the lifetime commitment made by two people (yea I know the commitment is often broken). Different types of families are affirmed in their commitment to be a family; and to live a life that intimately involves others.
Having said that, I acknowledge that this is a radical redefinition of marriage. I cannot think of a society without marriage or with same sex marriages being common. One of the reasons is that, while marriage has involved politics and business, the very foundation has been the care of children. A woman would have children by one man, and that man will provide for those children. In addition, the man saw often saw himself living on in his sons. Redefining this requires people to redefine their most important relationship. It, quite literally, strikes home. It is not surprising that resistance would be found to such a fundamental redefinition. In addition, I've been meditating on the difference between gay civil unions and gay marriages. If the civil unions give all the rights and privileges of marriage, then the difference is the blessing of society on the union. I strongly believe that gay people have the right to choose a partner that they share everything with and who is designated as having the final say as to what their best interests are if they are incapacitated. But, I don't really think the approval of society is a right. I think it is a darn good idea, but not a right. So, I would suggest that, for now, the state approval of civil unions guarantee rights for gays is the best way to go. Religious marriages can add the affirmation of community to this; and I also support that. For those who are not religious, there could still be a community ceremony that affirms the union. My hope would be that, after years of folks knowing that nice gay couple down the street, society could honestly give its general affirmation, and the gay civil unions would be acknowledged as marriages by society as a whole. But, I don't think we're there yet; and saying we are would just be a lie. Further, it would also be a distraction from real attacks on the American families. I do think there are trends in the US now that are anti-family and that are dangerous to society....the most important of which is the increased social acceptability of men abandoning the responsibility they have towards their children. Dan M, _______________________________________________ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
