Til Death Do Us Part

The media is busy with the Supreme Court's upcoming rulings on California's Proposition 8, the Defense of Marriage Act and gay marriage.  And, of course, social media is right there with it.  I've been pleasantly surprised by some of my acquaintances speaking out in favor of marriage equality.  Of course this also brings the bigotry and hatred to the forefront, giving me more opportunities to sever all ties with the closed minds I grew up with.

For the sake of clarity, I'm going to lump all this together and call the issue "Marriage Equality".  Those in favor of marriage equality feel it is a case to end discrimination, to grant all people the same opportunities and the same benefits, regardless of sexual orientation.  Those opposed argue that marriage equality weakens traditional marriage and prevents children from growing up in a complete, nurturing family.  They do this with a straight face too.  Amazing.

Current statistics show that 35% of children are being raised in a single parent home.  Nearly 50% of all traditional marriages end in divorce and a growing number of couples are choosing to raise their families without benefit of marriage.  What this boils down to is that most children are being raised (under the guise of traditional marriage) by a single biological parent.  Granted, in many cases, the step-parent does an excellent job, but it hardly fulfills the stated defense of traditional marriage.

Here is a point to ponder.  Let's assume two widowed, heterosexual women, each with 3 children.  Neither is able to raise their family without some sort of public assistance.  With housing, medical expenses and the cost of childcare, the burden is too much.  If these two women (or men, it works both ways) were able to marry (in a completely sexless relationship), the combining of benefits and reduction of costs could allow them to better raise their children without the need for welfare, foodstamps, childcare assistance and housing assistance.  The children would have the benefits of two parents and a much better chance to succeed in life.  Would this scenario be acceptable to everyone?

If you're opposed to marriage equality, it's time to stop lying to yourself and the world.  The issue isn't about providing a loving supportive family, what we have does not guarantee this. It is about a desire to discriminate against homosexuals.  In many places it is no longer acceptable to discriminate based on race or religion, but as long as we can keep from allowing marriage equality we can still hate, fear and punish one group, and isn't that what America is all about?

Personally, I don't care, unless they are groping me, what a person's sexual orientation is.  Let me amend that.  The first grope I don't care, it's not something that happens often enough for me to be picky (yes, I enjoy being groped).  Any extra gropes I don't want unless I'm at least somewhat attracted to the person, unless I'm very drunk.  What I do care about is treating everyone equally.  What type of sexual relations a lesbian or gay couple engage in, is their business, not yours.  Just like your own relations are your own business.

Should your wife or husband be denied access to your health benefits and your retirement benefits because you no longer engage in sexual activities?  Should you be denied the right to marry because one of you is infertile?  Grant everyone the same rights and stop trying to force people to some narrow-minded definition of what you perceive as right.