In the United States, LBGT couples are free practice the sacrement of marriage within denominations that allow the practive. Although those marriages are not legally recongnized by the states, in most states civil unions between LBGT couples enjoy the same legal benefits as those of heterosexual marriages. There is no real civil rights issue. Civil unions and tradional marriages are equal before the law.
Nevertheless, same sex marriage presents a number of problems. First, American culture has always defined marriage as the union of one man and one woman. Tweeking that definition could reopen our historical fight against polygamy, only this time with Mulsims instead of Mormons. I consider that a very real possibility.
Also, common law practices that have grown around the traditional understanding of marriage, like divorce, child custody, and inheritence, cannot easily accommodate alternate definitions. For example, if a man and a woman room togethor for 7 years then common law considers them married. While it’s unlikely, in theory the 7-year roommate of another man, could claim inheretance rights to the other man’s property over the objections of blood relatives.
Finally, govenments can and should recognize differneces between different types of relationships when they affect society in different ways. Tax laws recognize this distinction because heterosexual couples often produce children and there is a compelling governemet interest in recognizing the uniqueness of this situation.
Nevertheless, same sex marriage presents a number of problems. First, American culture has always defined marriage as the union of one man and one woman. Tweeking that definition could reopen our historical fight against polygamy, only this time with Mulsims instead of Mormons. I consider that a very real possibility.
Also, common law practices that have grown around the traditional understanding of marriage, like divorce, child custody, and inheritence, cannot easily accommodate alternate definitions. For example, if a man and a woman room togethor for 7 years then common law considers them married. While it’s unlikely, in theory the 7-year roommate of another man, could claim inheretance rights to the other man’s property over the objections of blood relatives.
Finally, govenments can and should recognize differneces between different types of relationships when they affect society in different ways. Tax laws recognize this distinction because heterosexual couples often produce children and there is a compelling governemet interest in recognizing the uniqueness of this situation.
