I'm still having trouble understanding the problem with same-sex marriage.
Actually, what I have trouble understanding is why so many people vehemently oppose something that is none of their business, doesn't infringe on them in any way and doesn't affect their well-being.
Gay marriage is back in the news these days, as New York became the sixth state to allow it. Florida, by contrast, was the last state to allow gay adoption, and passed a sanctity of marriage amendment in 2008, so don't expect progress to arrive here soon.
But
as I read about New York's efforts to pass gay marriage legislation, I
found it distasteful that we still have to go through constant
legislative wrangling and political horse-trading to determine if we can
"allow" what should be a basic human right.
More than 30 states still have bans against same-sex marriage. Why?
The main reasons to oppose gay marriage don't make sense:
Same-sex marriage would destroy the idea of marriage. Please. The divorce rate among
heterosexuals and the number of unhappy or cheating straight couples will destroy the idea of marriage.
Same-sex marriage partners can't have children. Interesting. Does this mean that marriage
should not be allowed for two straight people who don't want children,
or can't have children?
Same-sex marriage will
lead to horrible societal aberrations, like polygamy. Really? Gay
marriage is already allowed in Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New
Hampshire, Vermont and the District of Columbia. Maybe I've missed it,
but I haven't seen an increase in social aberrations.
Same-sex marriage instills the wrong values. So what are the "right" values, and who
determines that? I guess two people in love who want to marry is not a
good value.
Actually, I think there are only two real reasons — in addition to basic bigotry — why people oppose gay marriage.
First,
they are uncomfortable thinking about it. To which I say, tough. Think
about something else. I am uncomfortable with people owning handguns, so
I think about something else. Works every time.
Secondly, people are opposed because they claim their religion is against it. To which I say, fine, if your religion is opposed to gay marriage and you are a religious person,
then don't marry someone of the same sex. Live your life the way you
feel is best for you.
It's when you try to decide how other people should live their lives that you lose me.
Senior Editorial Writer Gary Stein can be reached at gstein@sunsentinel.com or 954-356-4616.