Spring Break
The Daily OrangeGay Americans have earned the right to say their wedding vows
By Kevin Eggleston
Posted: 3/18/08, 12:59 AM EST Section: Opinion
They seek to demonstrate real 'family values' to a heterosexual population full of broken homes.
And yet in most of the country, both the chapel doors and city hall have been closed to gay couples, who at best, are told to head out to a field somewhere and hold what Vermont termed a "civil union." That is, go ahead and drink the water, just use a separate but "equal" drinking fountain.
Some - even in the gay community - probably don't mind recognizing that marriage is a broken institution. Others are content with a separate institution, existing in a "we have the stars, let's not ask for the moon" state of mind.
That response is one of a quitter, not a fixer. Yes, the institution of marriage is broken. So start by reaffirming the strength of the family unit with a wave of new marriages across the country, by couples that have already demonstrated their bonds by holding each other for better, for worse, in sickness or in health for years. It's probably the most "conservative" thing I've ever suggested.
Andrew Sullivan, a conservative writer, said giving gay couples the right to marry would strengthen not just new gay families but also their family roots by including them in the same ceremony as their parents and siblings. Gay marriage isn't about religion, he said, "It's about family. It's about love."
And he's right. It's time for the presidential contenders to stop saying privately "I can't" to gays desiring the right to marry in this country.
An Elton John concert or pride parade appearance isn't going to cut it anymore, Hillary. "Building bridges" doesn't work with the hellfire crowd, Barack. Flip-flopping on gay marriage issues to win a primary is the opposite of courage, John. Gays have already restored inner-city communities across America, let them now try to restore dignity to the state of the American family by giving them the chance to say "I do."
Kevin Eggleston is a sophomore political science and television, radio and film major. His columns appear every Tuesday. He can be reached at kmeggles@syr.edu
And yet in most of the country, both the chapel doors and city hall have been closed to gay couples, who at best, are told to head out to a field somewhere and hold what Vermont termed a "civil union." That is, go ahead and drink the water, just use a separate but "equal" drinking fountain.
Some - even in the gay community - probably don't mind recognizing that marriage is a broken institution. Others are content with a separate institution, existing in a "we have the stars, let's not ask for the moon" state of mind.
That response is one of a quitter, not a fixer. Yes, the institution of marriage is broken. So start by reaffirming the strength of the family unit with a wave of new marriages across the country, by couples that have already demonstrated their bonds by holding each other for better, for worse, in sickness or in health for years. It's probably the most "conservative" thing I've ever suggested.
Andrew Sullivan, a conservative writer, said giving gay couples the right to marry would strengthen not just new gay families but also their family roots by including them in the same ceremony as their parents and siblings. Gay marriage isn't about religion, he said, "It's about family. It's about love."
And he's right. It's time for the presidential contenders to stop saying privately "I can't" to gays desiring the right to marry in this country.
An Elton John concert or pride parade appearance isn't going to cut it anymore, Hillary. "Building bridges" doesn't work with the hellfire crowd, Barack. Flip-flopping on gay marriage issues to win a primary is the opposite of courage, John. Gays have already restored inner-city communities across America, let them now try to restore dignity to the state of the American family by giving them the chance to say "I do."
Kevin Eggleston is a sophomore political science and television, radio and film major. His columns appear every Tuesday. He can be reached at kmeggles@syr.edu
Viewing Comments 1 - 5 of 5
dhgfgg
posted 3/18/08 @ 7:57 AM EST
Gentrification isn't typically seen as a net positive by academics. The working class people displaced by gentrification have to live somewhere. Gentrification does not solve any problems- it only sweeps them under the proverbial carpet. (Continued…)
Amit Taneja
posted 3/18/08 @ 9:51 AM EST
Thank-you Kevin for addressing the importance of marriage equality for LGBT people. I can appreciate your intent of including gentrification in the article - I read it as LGBT people being able to work through tough situations to make things "better". (Continued…)
Kevin
posted 3/18/08 @ 11:50 AM EST
Thank you, both of you. I do realize that there are more compelling reasons for gay marriage and I do wish I could address them. And I regret not mentioning gentrification's effects on the poor. (Continued…)
Mike G.
posted 3/23/08 @ 10:48 AM EST
Gays have already restored inner-city communities across America, let them now try to restore dignity to the state of the American family by giving them the chance to say "I do. (Continued…)
Edwin Dean
posted 3/26/08 @ 12:57 AM EST
SENATOR ROBERT BYRD OF WEST VIRGINIA FOR PRESIDENT!
STOP THE MADNESS! RESTORE TRUE VALUES OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY! BYRD IN 2012!
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