Why should the state have ANY say in who marries whom? Isn't it a personal decision? Instead of forcing states to recognize gay marriages, let's take the opposite approach and get states out of the marriage business altogether.
What business is it of theirs in the first place? Reduce the civil component of marriage to a contract, similar to articles of incorporation, binding the parties together as a legal entity, and granting certain benefits and responsibilities to that entity, including survivor benefits, dissolution agreements etc. By removing restrictions on the number or sex of the parties, you eliminate any discrimination against non-traditional marriages.
And the best part of the whole thing is that if you want a traditional, religious mariage, that is still your option.
Everybody wins.
I'm happy to say that I agree with that 100%.
Posted by: Chris Wage on October 9, 2003 1:55 PMI've just been thinking the same thing myself! You should flesh it out into an essay.
Posted by: Marc on October 13, 2003 9:29 PM