Letters to the Editor
-
K
It's not about the word, it's about the reality. That bigots oppose the use of the word is childish, at best, but that's what it's called. If squabbling over the word is stupid, then, by all means, let the bigots stop squabbling.
If the word is meaningless, then let's force all heterosexuals into civil unions. If the word isn't meaningless, then let's open the meaning to all. I'm not playing games, I'm stating the obvious: marriage equality is a necessary component of a society of equals.
As far as the idea that sexuality is an obstacle to social advancement, I guess that's true if you confine yourself to bigoted social circles, but why would anyone do that? If you are unavoidably involved with bigots who would impede your social advancement, however, a marriage license would give you all the legal protection you need against them. Further, anti-gay bigotry decreases with each new generation and the day-to-day reality of marriage equality with its complete lack of consequences for heterosexual couples will only hasten its marginalization.
What I can't seem to understand from your point of view is why you think having 'civil unions' that confer the exact same rights and privileges under government as 'marriage' does, is unequal?
It's a fundamental tenet of our society that separate but equal is wrong. If it's not, then let's force all heterosexual couples to have civil unions and all homosexual couples to have marriages. After all, it's only words, right?