No Sex Marriage?
BY MICHAEL FORREST
In my discussions with same-sex "marriage" advocates (including some who are homosexual themselves), it’s clear that they recognize the unique significance of romantic/sexual love in the definition of "marriage."
They want to have committed, same-sex relationships publicly and legally recognized by our country as "marriage" because, to them, that word symbolizes a unique kind of love (romantic/sexual in nature) and commitment revolving around their identities as sexual beings.
So, to try to flesh this out a bit with another example, I thought it would be helpful to consider a parallel case: the case of all the people in the world who are asexual (have no sexual/romantic desire for either gender). There are millions of such people.
The Independent reported in 2009, according to one study, that as many as 1.5% of men and a significantly higher percentage of women fit into this category. For them, this is not merely a voluntary "choice," either. It’s "how they are."
As such, I think it’s a helpful parallel to the case of homosexuals.
Now, consider what would happen if asexual people started demanding that their committed, platonic, completely non-romantic relationships be legally recognized as "marriage." They would argue that they’re being denied their human rights, their right to the happiness and joy of being recognized as "married" by society. Again, being asexual is not a choice for them, either. It’s just "how they are."
If same-sex "marriage" advocates are to remain philosophically consistent, they couldn’t tell asexuals that their non-sexual relationships aren’t the same as homosexual relationships because, according to their own commonly stated standards, that would be the same as saying that asexuals are "less than" homosexuals and tantamount to hate speech. Their only choice would be to accept "asexual marriage." And in the process, the meaning of "marriage" would be fundamentally diminished — no longer having anything at all to do with romance/sex.
They want to have committed, same-sex relationships publicly and legally recognized by our country as "marriage" because, to them, that word symbolizes a unique kind of love (romantic/sexual in nature) and commitment revolving around their identities as sexual beings.
So, to try to flesh this out a bit with another example, I thought it would be helpful to consider a parallel case: the case of all the people in the world who are asexual (have no sexual/romantic desire for either gender). There are millions of such people.
The Independent reported in 2009, according to one study, that as many as 1.5% of men and a significantly higher percentage of women fit into this category. For them, this is not merely a voluntary "choice," either. It’s "how they are."
As such, I think it’s a helpful parallel to the case of homosexuals.
Now, consider what would happen if asexual people started demanding that their committed, platonic, completely non-romantic relationships be legally recognized as "marriage." They would argue that they’re being denied their human rights, their right to the happiness and joy of being recognized as "married" by society. Again, being asexual is not a choice for them, either. It’s just "how they are."
If same-sex "marriage" advocates are to remain philosophically consistent, they couldn’t tell asexuals that their non-sexual relationships aren’t the same as homosexual relationships because, according to their own commonly stated standards, that would be the same as saying that asexuals are "less than" homosexuals and tantamount to hate speech. Their only choice would be to accept "asexual marriage." And in the process, the meaning of "marriage" would be fundamentally diminished — no longer having anything at all to do with romance/sex.
..................
Read more: www.ncregister.com
No hay comentarios:
Publicar un comentario