Thread: Is Gay Marriage, and Civil Union, an attempt to achieve equality?

... or is it an attempt to elevate gays to oppressor status up there with those in heterosexual marriages?

Married citizens are afforded rights that are denied to those of us who are single. Is gay marriage REALLY an altruistic pursuit at equality for all, or an effort to be regarded as better-than-me?

i'm interested to know what rights married people are afforded that singles are missing out on.

if my wife goes to the hospital, i get the right to pay for her medical bills.
if my wife dies, i get the right to pay off all her education bills.
when i want to buy a house, i get the right to have my wife's crappy credit score used against me.

so, remind me again....how are the single people being oppressed?

That is a good point and raises the question if gays are truly fighting for equality. I am single and I am discriminated by the government. I certainly don't receive the same benefits as someone who is married.

Um, is that supposed to be a joke?

I generally answer such things seriously regardless:
States are allowed to regulate for the general welfare of the people. In doing so, they may conclude that the institution of marriage is worth supporting because of the beneficial impact on society, and hence it is permissible to provide benefits to married people that single people don't enjoy.

However, states cannot do so in violation of the 14th amendment, which guarantees equal protection. If they choose to provide a legal institution of marriage (which is similar to but separate from the various social and religious institutions by the same name), they must provide it equally to heterosexual and homosexual couples. Civil unions are not sufficient, as it is a "separate but equal" institution, which the Court has declared impossible. Difficulties that civil union couples have experienced with acceptance of their status demonstrate this principal.