I fail to understand how same-sex marriage can negatively affect
the relationships of other people, gay or straight (I refer to the
Defense of Marriage Act; defense of whose marriage? Does that mean
that there are marriages so fragile that they will crumble if gay
people are allowed to marry?). Marriage is a civil ceremony; people
can choose to make it religious according to their own beliefs, but
it is still a civil ceremony. A couple must be issued a license to
wed, and must follow the state's laws to do so. Many people are
married at city hall or the county clerk's office. Does that make
the marriage of those people any less official than a couple who
was married in a church? Of course not! The state recognizes both
couples in the same way by law. So, how can a civil ceremony
negatively affect mine or your relationship/marriage? It can't
unless we obsess over it.
Maybe those gay people who are in happy, stable, monogamous
relationships just make "religious" people jealous..? I don't know.
I do know how terribly "religious" people talk about the gay
community, like thay are the modern-day lepers of biblical times.
If not afforded the same rights as the rest of Americans,
maybe gay people should not share the same responsibilities. For
instance, if a person is going to be limited in her/his right to
life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness then maybe he/she
should not have to pay the same taxes. It just seems pretty unfair
to limit the rights of a certain group of American citizens just
because one is jealous or uncomfortable.