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.