Friday, 5 April 2013

Civil Marriage

This issue is surely one of civil marriage, not one which affects religious institutions? Obviously, I'm biased for gay marriage, but nonetheless is it not simply the application of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to all people, of all sexualities? It states that every person should live free from discrimination, and surely the denial of access to marriage rights, and the legal recognition offered by the right to marry, is discrimination? When you think of the fact that people can meet in Vegas and marry straight away, that arranged marriages still occur, and that there are people who have had multiple short-term marriages, how do these not desecrate the supposed sanctity of marriage? All that we are asking for, for ourselves and our friends, is that we have a right to live free from discrimination. A few decades ago, mixed race marriage caused just as much of a stir, but that died away, and we're left with the result of a world made better for the wide variety of marriages in it. Everyone has the right to their own opinion, that's true, we just calmly ask that you at least allow the progress of our rights, and the rights of the overall gay and lesbian community, through the passing of a bill enabling civil marriage equality. I'd love if religious organisations could stand with us to, but we'll be happy to start with civil marriage, as a stepping-stone for full equality.

Dabbler.

Tuesday, 2 April 2013

Marriage Equality

Hello everyone. Please excuse me while I rant.

I'm here, sitting at home, listening to many political analysts, politicians, a whole lot of people. All of these people are discussing gay marriage. Some are against.

I have one question: Why?

I am bisexual, I find both men and women attractive, and hope one day to be in a long-term relationship (who doesn't) and that that relationship, whatever one it is, is one which is recognised equally. At the moment, we only have civil partnerships, not gay marriage. Add to this the fact that the non-biological parent of a child in a gay relationship has NO LEGAL RIGHTS to that child, and you'll see that gay people are hardly treated equally in our society.

Why is there a problem with gay, secular marriage? I understand that religious groups have issues with it, though I of course disagree, but civil marriage should have no opponents. It is a right of every citizen to be treated equally, so access to marriage is one of the last barriers to full equality available for all.

Some people have resorted to calling gay relationships 'friendships', nothing more, which I find to be deeply insulting. if you yourself are married, or hope to be some day, please, ask yourself: why? Most will answer 'love'. This love is not gender-specific. Therefore, why should the ability to marry be decided based on the gender of the one you love?

I could talk for hours on this point, but I feel that it's up to the world to call for change, as dramatic as that sounds. I wish to work for the rest of my life for equality, in some way, no matter how small and I hope you'll all join me. Everyone can love, so why not accept it?

Dabbler.