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

[venckman.livejournal.com]

1. Yes, absolutely.
2. Yes. I believe it is a religious sacrament, and that's where use of the word "belongs."
3. These are valid human rights concerns as far as I'm concerned. Lack of equality under the eyes of the law is a big problem. And not just for gays, but for anyone in a committed relationship who is not "married." This is the issue.

The upset over the lack of the "marriage" label applied to one's relationship is one wants it might give offense or hurt someone's feelings, but this does not constitute an actual legal or moral issue that needs addressing. Lack of actual equal legal protection is very much the very important human rights issue at hand.