Gay marriage in California

As many have heard, the California Supreme Court has cleared the way for same-sex marriages to be performed in the state of California as early as June 17th. The decision overturned an earlier law disallowing these marriages. Opponents, of course, are up in arms, and have brought out the old arguments against gay marriage. I had planned to write about all these arguments, but I'm indebted to a poster on the San Jose Mercury News site who did a much better job, and who gave permission for reproduction and distribution:

Opponents of homosexuality and gay marriage have trotted out the usual list of arguments in wake of California's decision to allow these unions.

Although variations of this list have been around for a while, the arguments are still the same. Let’s review:

1. Homosexuality is not natural. (Like immunizations, birth control and taxes - these unnatural things have no place in our society. If it is different from what I wish to consider normal, then I will call it unnatural. This argument, by the way, ignores the evidence, as homosexual behavior occurs in many species, from insects to primates, and in many cases in proportions equal to those in humans, right around 10-11%.)

2. Only heterosexual marriages are valid because only they can produce children. (This is why we do not allow infertile couples and old people to marry. And fertility testing is required before heterosexual couples are allowed to marry in order to comply with the ‘one child policy’.)

3. Gay parents will only end up raising gay children. (Just as straight parents only raise straight children.)

4. Same-sex marriage will tarnish the institution of marriage. (Just as Britney Spears' two-day ‘just for fun’ marriage. Or popular TV shows ‘Who Wants to Marry a Millionaire’, ‘The Bachelor’, and ‘Who Wants to Marry My Dad’ condones marrying complete strangers for game show fame and money.)

5. Heterosexual marriage is traditional. (That's why women are still property and can't vote. And why Blacks are kept as slaves and are not allowed to marry.)

6. Same-sex marriage is an issue that should be decided by people, not the courts. (Because ‘the People’, not the courts, have historically protected the rights of minorities, just ask Native Americans, African-Americans and Asian-Americans.)

7. Same-sex marriage is not supported by religious teachings. (In a theocracy like ours, the values of one religion are always imposed on the entire country. This is why we only have one religion in America.)

8. Same-sex marriage will only encourage straight people to be gay. (In the same way that hanging around tall people makes you tall.)

9. Legalizing same-sex marriage will open the door for all kinds of perverted behaviors, like people marrying their pets. (Because dogs and cats are recognized as citizens and can legally sign contracts and marriage licenses.)

10. Children cannot grow up to be functioning adults without both male and female role models at home. (This is why it is illegal for single parents to live with their children.)

11. Civil unions, providing most of the same benefits as marriage with a different name are better. (‘Separate but Equal’ institutions are always constitutional. Separate schools, lunch counters and water fountains worked for African-Americans. It will work just as well as separate marriages for homosexuals.)

12. Homosexuality is a lifestyle choice that does not merit special rights of marriage. (Being gay-bashed, called ‘[bleep]got’, and ostracized by family, friends and church is a fabulous choice for expressing your identity and who you love. Other lifestyle choices such as Baptist, Catholic or Republican are just not challenging enough.)

The gist of these arguments is simple: I fear what I don't understand. My way is the only way. My religion is the only religion. My beliefs are more important than yours, because I and my kind outnumber you. Because we are more numerous, we must be right, just as the majority was right when they believed the earth was flat, or that slavery was moral, or that women should not be allowed to own property, or that gods came to earth in showers of gold to impregnate unwilling women, or that the sun was pulled across the sky by Apollo in his chariot.

I, personally, applaud California's Supreme Court. I applaud the Governor of New York for stating that he wishes for New York to recognize these marriages. And I hope we all grow up a little, and remember that love is hard enough without being told by someone you don't know that yours is invalid or wrong.