A Solution to Gay Marriage: Remove the Word Marriage

[spicedogs]

 

According to this article in Time magazine, one way of solving the problem we have against gay marriage is to remove the word "marriage" and create the word "civil union." In other words, you exchange your vows in a civil court or perhaps have a civil ceremony and get a certificate that says that legally you are a couple and, as a couple you have legal rights. If a couple is adamant about being "married," after the civil ceremony, they would go to a religious facility to get married.

I know that in Europe that's how you get married. First you have a small ceremony in court and then the bigger ceremony in your religious facility. I wonder what this new way of tying the knots would do to the wedding industry. Could civil ceremonies be handled in lavish halls? I guess that it could. My daughter’s officiate was friend of the family. He was a medical doctor. In Maryland anyone can marry you. But just for good measure, he became ordained with the Universal Life Church.

 

 

Comments

[galileah-galile.livejournal.com]

I thought the point of Gay Marraige is to have equality with straight people. To give it a diferent name simply because the couple are homosexual would be an insulting stigma. I'm all for the word marraige because that is the accepted term and a committed relationship is a comitted relationship no matter what it's called.

[spicedogs.livejournal.com]

Actually, only those who are adamant about religion would be married. Others (straight or gay) would have a civil union. I would have no problems with that. My daughter's marriage would be a civil union. She was not married by clergy.

[venckman.livejournal.com]

This is how I think it should be also.

[mr-henry-gale.livejournal.com]

I'm thinking Edith (and the article) is talking about the abolition of the term "marriage" altogether, for straight and gay couples alike, and instead, everyone will have civil unions. Therefore everyone is on equal ground. Marriage as an institution is too steeped in religion, and the fundamentalist right will fight to their last breath to protect their idea of marriage as a sacred union between a man and woman.

But seeing as the word "marriage" has been used all throughout history to denote a contractual bond for a long-term, committed relationship, I don't see why we have to adopt a new term. I like the word. If only some people would let go of their chokehold on the word...

[spicedogs.livejournal.com]

I liked the word as well, but I am willing to give up so others wouldn't be denied the rights hubby and I have simply because they love a person of the same gender.