Advocating the Rights for All Who Want the Benefits & Privileges of Marriage

Advocating the Rights for All Who Want the Benefits & Privileges  of Marriage

While I tend towards conservatism on issues such as limited government, fiscal responsibility, and defense of the Bill of Rights, my political inclinations regarding certain social issues are decidedly libertarian.

In particular I am a strong advocate for same sex marriage. Why should any of us oppose the desire and rights of same sex couples to marry and have the same rights as heterosexual couples? Why should those in a committed and loving relationship be denied the rights of spouses? Why should a modern interpretation of Judeo-Christian thought have such influence over the lives of multitudes of people? How can America, a country that purports to afford the same constitutional rights to all, deny any of its citizens the right to marry? Is it not in the interest of the State to promote the stability of families? Should we not encourage the longevity of relationships for economic and social benefit?

History is replete with examples of famous men and women who preferred same sex or bisexual relationships from the poetess Sappho in 600 B.C. to Socrates, Plato, Alexander the Great, Edward II of England, Richard I of England, Henry III of France, Leonardo da Vinci, Pope Paul II, Margaret Fuller, Alice B. Toklas and Gertrude Stein. 

I’ve been privileged to enjoy close friendships and familial relationships with gays and lesbians in committed long-term relationships – many of which survived years longer than my marriages or those of my heterosexual friends.  I have no right to judge what it right or wrong when it comes to how people live or love.  If others have issues with embracing loving relationships of any kind, perhaps they are not as open minded or Christian as they purport to be. The Christianity of my youth taught that acceptance and love of all was the way.  Acceptance is the American way, the Christian way and the right way.