Marriage, Rights, and all that stuff you're not sposed to talk about at the dinner table
So I've been reading a few articles and things lately, both pro and con on the gay marriage issue. Personally, I'm not opposed, I think it should be allowed, I don't see why it's not, and it is a civil rights issue. Big fan of Prop 8 the musical. I personally don't think anyone should be able to tell me:
A. What I'm allowed to do in my own home, as long as everyone is of consenual age
B. Who I'm allowed to love
C. That I wouldn't be able to have the same right as others
Established point, however, the issue does arise that now the laws there to protect people from discrimination are now also walking on other peoples rights as well. Where does it end and what justifies what? I don't think that any non-government institution should have to marry two people if they choose not to. It is my understanding that - for example - my husband and myself could not have gotten married in the church we were married in if not for his mother and sister being members of that church. And I have no problems with that. I don't call that discrimination. I don't go to that church, I don't participate in its activies, or contribute to it's well-being. They have the right to refuse not to marry me for whatever beliefs they hold. Just as a bar reserves the right to refuse to serve anyone for any reason - when can you call it discrimination and when can you call it their rights?
It's a truly murky issue. What gives you the right to deny someone something and yet at the same time, what gives them the right to expect that you have to do that same something? I don't think any religious organization should have to do anything that they don't want to do for anyone. Churchs should not have to allow any type of ceremonies on their property that they do not wish to host. And there should be laws protecting them.
As for wedding vendors? I would think that if the photographer or whomever was against "same sex unions" you wouldn't want them as a photographer anyway. Why do you have to sue them to make them give you "damages" because they didn't want to do something for you? I don't get it, and I can't get it, because I'm not a minority. I would think finding someone else to work with would be more appropriate that saying "You must do this!" Why would you want to give someone money when they are against your beliefs? But as we go on down the line, a Florist, for example who is only making flowers - why would they care what the occassion is or who is getting married. They are in the business of providing a good for a price. Is that where the line should be drawn? While, I agree, someone shoudn't be subject to something they don't believe in, at the same time, where do you draw that fine line? Flowers, Cake, Decorations, Halls - they are things that are for all ocassions and the people involved don't spend a lot of time with the customers. They provide something tangible. Photos are different.... somehow....
I'm very conflicted, because I don't think we should have to worry about things like this.... it makes me both sad and happy that I live in America. Sad because we seem so close minded on certain things and happy because even though we may be slow, I think that the world is starting to open up. I don't think the public should get a say in who can and can not be married. I don't think the government should either. I think as long as you have two PEOPLE who have CONSENTED to the situation, that that's all you need.
I mean, gay marriage isn't the reason we have a 50% divorce rate. Gay marriage should be an opportunity to tell our children about love, respect, and personal choices. Marriage should be about wanting to spend the rest of your life with a person, regardless of who that person is or what their gender may be.
A. What I'm allowed to do in my own home, as long as everyone is of consenual age
B. Who I'm allowed to love
C. That I wouldn't be able to have the same right as others
Established point, however, the issue does arise that now the laws there to protect people from discrimination are now also walking on other peoples rights as well. Where does it end and what justifies what? I don't think that any non-government institution should have to marry two people if they choose not to. It is my understanding that - for example - my husband and myself could not have gotten married in the church we were married in if not for his mother and sister being members of that church. And I have no problems with that. I don't call that discrimination. I don't go to that church, I don't participate in its activies, or contribute to it's well-being. They have the right to refuse not to marry me for whatever beliefs they hold. Just as a bar reserves the right to refuse to serve anyone for any reason - when can you call it discrimination and when can you call it their rights?
It's a truly murky issue. What gives you the right to deny someone something and yet at the same time, what gives them the right to expect that you have to do that same something? I don't think any religious organization should have to do anything that they don't want to do for anyone. Churchs should not have to allow any type of ceremonies on their property that they do not wish to host. And there should be laws protecting them.
As for wedding vendors? I would think that if the photographer or whomever was against "same sex unions" you wouldn't want them as a photographer anyway. Why do you have to sue them to make them give you "damages" because they didn't want to do something for you? I don't get it, and I can't get it, because I'm not a minority. I would think finding someone else to work with would be more appropriate that saying "You must do this!" Why would you want to give someone money when they are against your beliefs? But as we go on down the line, a Florist, for example who is only making flowers - why would they care what the occassion is or who is getting married. They are in the business of providing a good for a price. Is that where the line should be drawn? While, I agree, someone shoudn't be subject to something they don't believe in, at the same time, where do you draw that fine line? Flowers, Cake, Decorations, Halls - they are things that are for all ocassions and the people involved don't spend a lot of time with the customers. They provide something tangible. Photos are different.... somehow....
I'm very conflicted, because I don't think we should have to worry about things like this.... it makes me both sad and happy that I live in America. Sad because we seem so close minded on certain things and happy because even though we may be slow, I think that the world is starting to open up. I don't think the public should get a say in who can and can not be married. I don't think the government should either. I think as long as you have two PEOPLE who have CONSENTED to the situation, that that's all you need.
I mean, gay marriage isn't the reason we have a 50% divorce rate. Gay marriage should be an opportunity to tell our children about love, respect, and personal choices. Marriage should be about wanting to spend the rest of your life with a person, regardless of who that person is or what their gender may be.