Shouldn't parents be married?
Categories: 2Moms2Dads, Fun & activities, In the news, That's entertainment
If the couple didn't have matching skin colors, for example, it was illegal for them to be married. The Supreme Court finally declared that unconstitutional in 1967, saying "Marriage is one of the 'basic civil rights of man,' fundamental to our very existence and survival.... Under our Constitution, the freedom to marry, or not to marry, a person of another race resides with the individual and cannot be infringed by the State."
Fast forward forty years and we have "deja vu all over again." There is a group of people -- of families -- who are being denied the right to marry in most of this country. People with kids or who want kids are being discriminated against just as others were in the last century. And it's just as wrong. Take that same Supreme Court decision and substitute gender for race and you'll see what I mean.
A California group has put together a video explaining the situation and asking people to simply talk about it. The video features a lot of different people -- gay, straight, and children of gay parents -- talking about the issue and showing that being a family is not just about sex. It's a very moving piece and I highly recommend it, especially if you're unsure about the whole issue.
I know a lot of families where the parents are every bit as committed and loving as Rachel and I are, except that they can't get a piece of paper that says they're married. Most of them are probably much better parents than I am as well. And yet, this inequality exists in a country that claims to be all about equality. We need to show our children that we do believe in equality and sharing this video is a good place to start.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
kate 11-06-2007 @ 3:30PM
The right for gays to marry is a no-brainer, as far as I'm concerned. Look, the divorce rate in this country hovers around 50%; the straight folks aren't exactly setting a perfect example. And then there are the people who get married almost as if by hobby (ie. some unnamed celebrities). Why should they be granted the privilege of marriage when so many other people aren't?
The opponents to gay marriage are living in FEAR. Fear of change, fear of being proven wrong. It's like the bumper sticker says: "Hate is not a family value."
Reply
Joy 11-06-2007 @ 5:02PM
I feel anyone who wants to get married should be able to as well as those who don't want to, don't have to.
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Ann Adams 11-06-2007 @ 5:23PM
I keep waiting for Massachusetts to fall into the ocean from the sheer horror of it all but it hasn't happened yet.
I don't see the problem but then I didn't see the problem when it applied to mixed marriages either.
Separate is not equal.
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Jenn 11-06-2007 @ 11:03PM
A friend and I were discussing gay marriage recently, because I thought it was hilarious (if sad) that the highest voter turn-out ever was when gay marriage was on the ballot for our state.
I mean, c'mon. We've got so very many issues to deal with, and we want to get all up in arms about letting adult people who love each other get married? What on earth is the world coming to?
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