Same Sex Marriage Hits A Chord
As Congress prepares for its final votes on the issue of same-sex marriage, the debate rages on outside the Beltway. Following my recent column supporting gay marriage, the readers below offered some common objections to gay marriage, and some uncommon responses:
Phil S., Seattle: Why are gays asking for marriage? There’s only one answer: They want political acceptance of their amoral lifestyle.
Bob K., Clinton Township, Mich.: I am 25 and my other half is 21. Our wanting to be married has nothing to do with politics, sex or making a bold, public statement. We both believe in the institution of marriage as a symbol of our love. We are not promiscuous. There is a very strong sense of commitment, morals and trust here, something we pride ourselves on. I cannot speak for all others in the gay community, but I plan on taking my vows as much to heart as any straight couple.
Mort K., Monroe, Mich.: I have been in a loving, monogamous relationship with another man for over 18 years. Here’s why we’d like to get married: If my spouse should get sick, I am not allowed to take family leave. If he should die, my job would give me no bereavement time. If he should die, one of his family members could claim the home that he and I bought together. And if he were in a serious accident and doctors needed permission to operate, they might not consider my permission as valid.
Tom N., Sterling Heights, Mich.: At its core, the whole and historical purpose of marriage is to produce and raise children. That’s why homosexuals definitely have no purpose to enter into it.
David W., North Olmsted, Ohio: Are Bob and Elizabeth Dole undermining family values because they have no kids? What about Pat Buchanan and his wife? It is absurd to believe that a relationship is any less valid because of the incapacity to bear children.
Anthony H., Olympia, Wash.: When marriage is promoted as an institution created for bearing children, the rest of us are viewed as odd. My wife and I are childless by choice, and we are often perceived as selfish, uncaring and irresponsible. I am fed up with the marriage-equals-children argument.
Betty J., Chicago: Marriage is an institution created by God. God states that homosexuality is a sin. For this reason, gays cannot be married.
Kevin L., Saline, Mich.: People who advocate for traditional Bible-based marriages forget that the Bible gives nearly all the power in a marriage to the husband. For example, if we were to take the Bible literally, women would have no divorce rights.
Tom C., New York City: What effect would gay marriage have on the institution of marriage? Ask yourself this question: If I give you and your wife a clock as a wedding gift, and then I give a clock to another couple who are not married, does that diminish the value of your clock?
Mention: Last month, the U.S. House of Representatives voted 342-67 in favor of the Defense of Marriage Act, which would bar federal recognition of same-sex unions.
Male call: For a future column: What advice do you have to help a man cope with the death of his father? Send responses to VoiceMale, P.O. Box 8071, Lexington, Ky. 40533-8071, or to e-mail address nchetaol.com.
xxxx
The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = Neil Chethik Universal Press Syndicate