On Thinking through Same-Sex Marriages

Is same-sex marriage a civil right?

"Freedom means freedom for everybody and you ought to have the right to make whatever choice you want to make with respect to your own personal situation." -- Former Vice President Dick Cheney, when asked his opinion on same-sex marriages

"Gay and lesbian Americans should be treated fairly, and equally." President Barack Obama

"We simply cannot treat same-sex couples as second-class citizens in our country. Marriage equality is one of the most significant civil rights battles of our time and is critical to guaranteeing the equal protection under the law promised to every American in the Constitution.” — Senator Frank R. Lautenberg of New Jersey

So, the question becomes, what rights are we depriving them of? Is terming the relationship a "marriage" no more than that, just the granting of a term, or does it come with privileges?

This goes beyond giving those of same-sex attraction certain rights. You can give them equal rights to housing and employment without giving them marriage.

So, then,what things come with marriage? Visitation rights in the hospital, would be one. Being the automatic beneficiary at time of death, would be another.

But, perhaps the biggest thing that comes with being allowed to marry is public acceptance, recognition that the relationship is as legitimate as the relationship between a man and a woman.

Do we grant them that right? Do we dare give them that right? Are we tearing down the institution of marriage by doing so?

I think we must consider whether we are depriving them of civil rights, in general, and constitutional rights, in particular. The Constitution promises all men liberty. Is that the constitutitional right to be cited?

Is public acceptance a basic civil right? Does it fall under the promise of liberty extended by the Constitution?

If we are depriving them of rights, are we just in doing so?

And, when we have sorted out whether they are being deprived of civil rights, and whether we are just to do so, then there is a related question to ask, one Obama mentioned. He noted the Bible says we should treat people as we would have them treat us. Does the Golden Rule apply with respect to the way we treat them, and does it mean we must grant them marriage?

These are questions I have as I go to bed. I know The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, to which I follow, has repeatedly come out against same-sex marriages. But, I do not think it wrong to think out these questions for myself. May it not be wrong to do so, is my hope.