January 26, 2007

Not a Redefinition, Just Equal Access

That's the arguement that Dan Furmansky, executive director of Equality Maryland, makes about same-sex marriage in an op-ed piece for The Gazette, a group of local weekly newspapers in the DC suburbs of Maryland.

One of the primary arguements used against this is the alleged redefinition of marriage this would cause. As Furmansky points out:

".....all gays and lesbians — simply seek access to a universally recognized legal institution that will create stability and peace of mind for our families. More importantly, we seek to share in the joy and commitment that should be the hallmark of any loving relationship.

Same-sex couples express love in the same ways straight couples do. We bring our loved ones chicken soup when they sneeze. We listen intently when they complain about work. We look for ways to make them happy, with a gesture, with a card, with a kiss. We let them have the remote control — sometimes. We try to make them laugh, and we cook their favorite foods for their birthdays. We make homes together, build families together, and keep each other warm at night.

Allowing us to marry legally is just plain fair. No one chooses to be gay or lesbian, and being gay or lesbian is not a moral deficiency. Now, as the dark cloud of the closet that steals our souls is lifted for more and more of us, more Americans are understanding that ending discrimination against gays and lesbians means ending discrimination in marriage."

It's important to emphasize that no straight people would be harmed in the passing of these laws.

1 comment:

  1. I define marriage as two people that love each other taking vows in a legal and/or religious ceremony saying they will spend the rest of their lives together. Allowing same sex couples to marry will not change that definition.

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