tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4843978396401833308.post4565338953044362862..comments2024-01-19T01:40:43.245-07:00Comments on BoyTrapped: Let's All Be RightAndreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15684272196949747140noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4843978396401833308.post-3170399410918279822013-03-27T14:43:44.122-06:002013-03-27T14:43:44.122-06:00Thanks for the comment on my blog! Like I said - m...Thanks for the comment on my blog! Like I said - my post is totally oversimplified, and I know that. I'm trying to describe an ideal world I know probably can't exist, which means it is full of holes just waiting to be exposed. And what I'm saying is, as much as I love marriage, I'd be okay with putting that title to the side to participate in something new that I could share with all people. I think marriage has already been defined by eons of tradition (overstatement, now...), and I would rather participate in the creation of something new than the fight that exists around the restructuring of the old. I think there is no way to fix "marriage" that everyone can be happy with.Andreahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15684272196949747140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4843978396401833308.post-62240851286629091802013-03-27T14:35:20.498-06:002013-03-27T14:35:20.498-06:00"A contract recognized by the government that..."A contract recognized by the government that grants the rights and protections of marriage without the religious and emotional connotations." <br /><br />I often see people talk about marriage as a wholly religious institution to make points similar (although usually stronger) to yours with regard to SSM, and to divide it from what the state recognizes. One of the major problems I see is that people seem to be taking for granted is that if marriage is a religious term/construction, then what do we do about all the clergypersons who feel called and compelled to observe and perform SSMs according to the dictates of their conscience? Many of them live in states where they are not allowed to perform or otherwise participate in such marriages. We always tend to leave them out of the discussion, and there are a lot more than you might think. It would be necessary to legalize SSM to allow them this freedom of religion.<br /><br />Also, marriage is too deeply embedded within our legal and tax code already to realistically expect the state to keep out of it or only recognize an alternative, so that is a problematic option as well. Giving up the word is problematic for related legal reasons, but mostly because it implicitly or even explicitly creates a tier system. It would be great for everyone to somehow agree, but is it really fair to ask others to agree to only be allowed 'marriage light' (different name, almost the same great taste!), even for the sake of compromise? I think that's a tough one, and I think we have to take the LGBT community's word for it that real, honest-to-goodness, full-on, same-thing marriage is what they really need to feel like their rights are equally protected under the law. I love marriage so much, I hope they get it. It's amazing. Stephen and Rachel Whitakerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10539640424770110190noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4843978396401833308.post-23195952066664715322013-03-27T14:14:16.420-06:002013-03-27T14:14:16.420-06:00I completely agree. That's how I feel as well....I completely agree. That's how I feel as well.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15050158726176607527noreply@blogger.com