Gay marriage critics lack logic
I have heard innumerable, often emotional or allegedly
religious, sky-is-falling-type rants against same-sex marriage. But
I have not yet heard a single, compelling argument convincing me of
any real societal damage that would result from expanding the
legal, ethical and spiritual opportunity of sanctioned public
status ““ thereby including millions of fellow Americans who
have long felt disenfranchised by the status quo.
Strong, enduring societies are the result of networks of
families who remain loyal to each other’s well-being. Stable
relationships, of all kinds, provide the best opportunity for a
civilization to survive and prosper.
Allowing for more committed, formally established partnerships,
both conventional and non-conventional, would likely strengthen
society through the morally positive values of long-term
relationships ““ like trust, sacrifice and mutual support.
While for some people, the idea of same-sex marriage brings up
imagined demons of moral destruction or poses a conceptual threat
to those who cannot imagine reality beyond the woman-man equation,
the deniers of basic human rights have the burden of proving their
case of blatant discrimination.
What we do know with certainty is that continuing this mass
exclusion effectively censors life, liberty and pursuit of
happiness for those who seek and deserve the peace of mind of
recognized legitimacy. This affected group represents an entire
segment of our nation’s population ““ among them our own
loved ones, friends, colleagues and neighbors.
Solomon M. Matsas Office of International Students and
Scholars