Don't fear gay marriage

Following a landmark decision by the U.S. Supreme Court striking down anti-sodomy laws, a great debate has arisen regarding the future of sex, morality and the law. Considering that the Canadian provincial government of Ontario has legalized same-sex marriage, many are wondering if the new sodomy ruling will open the door to gay marriage in the U.S.\nThe mere suggestion of gay marriage has raised significant opposition. Rep. Marilyn Musgrave, R-Colo., sponsored a bill to amend the Constitution and define marriage as a union solely between a man and a woman -- a proposal that President Bush recently deemed unnecessary, "yet."\nSenate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., not only supports Musgrave's proposal but also refers to homosexual sodomy as a deviate criminal act and is working to preserve the integrity of marriage as a "sacred institution."\nThe reference to marriage as a sacred institution raises numerous questions. Many couples are "married" in the eyes of the law, yet their relationships are far removed from a religious or sacred act. In civil marriages, for example, couples usually commemorate their nuptials in a government building with a local judiciary official presiding.\nTo highlight a clearer secular example, couples involved in a common-law marriage make no commitment whatsoever but are considered lawfully "married" by simply cohabitating for a specified number of years.\nWhile marriages recognized by the current law are diverse and not rigidly sacred, a great deal of fear surrounds gay marriage. Most gay couples are not seeking a revolutionary change to the "sacred institution" of marriage; they are seeking equal protection and treatment under the civil law. It is important to realize that the crux of the gay marriage issue is not religious but civil. \nPushing this issue on a national level might be a large leap but steps should be taken to improve the current situation. Vermont's legalized same-sex unions come with limitations and even though they show progress, straights and gays are still not seeing eye to eye. \nDespite fierce conservative opposition to gay marriage, many have counter-argued that gay marriage itself serves as a way to instill conservative values in gay relationships. Judy Schroeder, a board member for the Bloomington chapter of Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, contends that marriage helps to promote committed relationships that are healthy, caring and most importantly, in it for the long haul. \n"That's what I want for all my children," she said. \nFor Judy, it's not about sexuality; it's about relationships -- something to which we all can relate.\nPerhaps we should take a break from the legal and political rhetoric to ask ourselves a simple question: when two people, regardless of their sexuality, choose to make a substantial commitment to each other, what's so wrong with that?\n-- Vincent Carr for the Editorial Board\n