If you've been living under a rock, there was a
step closer to same-sex marriage yesterday. (P.S. Note how even the BBC call it "gay marriage". Note that it's
same-sex marriage, not all-inclusive marriage.) Well, I just had to get this out somewhere because it's got to the point where I honestly don't know if people understand the OBVIOUS.
Obvious Point #1: It’s generally accepted that there are two ‘types’ of marriage ceremonies: RELIGIOUS and CIVIL. I’m talking about civil marriage between two people which many believe to be a basic civil right.
Personally, I believe it should be up to each individual religious institution whether to permit religious ceremonies but I know that many disagree, hence why this post will not use the word “church” or “Bible” because quite frankly, it is irrelevant to civil marriages. Therefore:
Obvious Point #2: A civil marriage ceremony is controlled by the STATE. It should be SEPARATE from any religious conflicts.
Now, I’m not picky about gender; I could end up with either a male or female partner or someone who identifies as neither or both.
Obvious Point #3: From a legal standpoint, marriage and civil partnerships are the SAME COMMITMENT; it is two adults making a public declaration to support each other through life. It is ridiculous that it has two different names dependent on binary gender.
Obvious Point #4: From a legal standpoint, marriage and civil partnerships are NOT THE SAME.
If this seems oxymoronic to point #2, that’s because it is (especially the ‘moronic’ part). You only have to open your eyes to the discrimination many face because civil partnerships are often not recognised as being equal to marriage, especially abroad.
Obvious Point #5: Marriage is a CONCEPT. No child is going to say, “My daddies are civil partnered.” They will say MARRIED because that is what the word “marriage” signifies (a life together); “civil partnership” is a term without meaning.
This is a point of simple semiology; the word “marriage” implies everything that needs to be implied about a couple. This word is currently reserved only for heterosexual use; that seems a tad discriminatory, yes?
Obvious Point #6: SHIT CHANGES: “But marriage has always been between a man and a woman” Oh so I suppose that we should also still have slavery? Burn people at stakes? We’ve spent the last couple of centuries trying to make humanity a fair and equal race, why stop the improvement with outdated ideas?
Obvious Point #7: “My religious text says...” RELIGION IS A POINT OF VIEW. EVERYONE HAS DIFFERENT POINTS OF VIEW. Religion is a great thing but yours isn’t everyone’s thing because everyone is different.
And, er, I mentioned marriage is a state matter already didn’t I? Now, I’ve saved the best to last, promise:
Obvious Point #8: HOW DOES LETTING PEOPLE GET MARRIED AFFECT YOUR LIFE?
No, really. Let’s think about it.
That couple nextdoor? Moved in two years ago, one’s a doctor, one’s a teacher, they offer you cake when they make a batch and occasionally you can hear them playing piano: They have a separate life from you. You disagree about some things but you are neighbours and you know how to get along. Does it matter if they have a “civil partnership”? Does it matter if they are “married”? Does it matter if they are gay? Asexual? Polyamourous? Blonde? Transgendered? In a wheelchair? NO!!! It may matter a hellalot to them and if they want to talk about it with you, then they might, but they live an entirely separate life and you have no right to tell them how to live it.
I honestly don’t understand why I am not allowed to get married to whoever I want to spend my life with. It is a legal contract between two consenting adults. Why does everyone have an opinion on whether it is “right” or not? I, just, PLEASE, I DON’T UNDERSTAND.
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excited
mellow
nostalgic
geeky
restless