Your Ship Has Sail { For Those Wanting Gay marriage Repeal in N.H.}


                                                
 
Those looking to repeal New Hampshire's gay marriage law might do well to look at last week's decision by the 9th U.S. Circuit of Appeals. The ruling struck down voter-approved Proposition 8, which barred gay marriage in California.

While there are differing opinions as to the ruling's impact beyond California and whether this particular case will make its way to the U.S. Supreme Court, the decision appears to have some parallels to New Hampshire.

Of particular note is that New Hampshire currently allows gay marriage as did California before Proposition 8. Also important is the argument here in the Granite State that domestic partnerships can offer the same rights and privileges as gay marriage — without co-opting the definition of traditional marriage.

In commenting on the prior existence of gay marriage and as reported by The Associated Press:

The amendment's "singular" work of denying gay Californians the designation of marriage while leaving in place domestic partnerships proves that Proposition 8's deprive same-sex relationships of society's dignity and respect, wrote Appeal's Court Justice Stephen Reinhardt wrote.

"A rose by any other name may smell as sweet, but to the couple desiring to enter into a committed lifelong relationship, a marriage by the name of `registered domestic partnership' does not," he said. "We are excited to see someone ask, `Will you marry me?', whether on bended knee in a restaurant or in text splashed across a stadium Jumbotron. Certainly, it would not have the same effect to see, `Will you enter into a registered domestic partnership with me?"'

Beyond the logic of this argument is the weakness of case being made by gay marriage opponents in New Hampshire.

Quoting Biblical scripture in opposition to gay marriage is an argument for the pulpit not the rostrum in legislative chambers. But for those who might do so, we remind them of Mark 12:17 — "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's."

In sanctioning marriage, the government does so not to condone religion but to grant civil rights of those promising to love and cherish.

Beyond this, those opposed to gay marriage have failed to make the case that harm is being done to society.

If anything, it can be argued that allowing gays to marry will bolster the social fabric. Studies have pointed to the healthier lifestyles of those who marry. This comes about because of their commitment to care for one another. It follows then that more couples should be encouraged to enter into such commitments.

This argument also serves to counter those who believe gay marriage harms children. Rather, it would appear that allowing gays to adopt has provided better homes to youngsters who would otherwise be bounced from foster home to foster home, or otherwise institutionalized.

Doesn't it follow then that these youngsters benefit even that much more from the stability offered by a committed marriage, rather than just a contract to share health benefits and the like.

There may yet be a case for overturning gay marriage. But as yet Foster's has not heard it. Gay marriage, where it has been allowed to stand, shows no signs of degrading civil society.

The bottom line is that, for gay marriage opponents, the ship has sailed. Public opinion, especially among the young generation — tomorrow's decision-makers — has turned in favor of gay marriage. It is also making headway with those of middle age. This means, without evidence to the contrary, society will continue to be more accepting of a broader definition of marriage — which is as it should be given the evidence at hand.



On the web:



http://www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120207/NEWS0102/120209589/-1/FOSNEWS0405



http://hosted.ap.org/interactives/2011/gay-marriage 





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