12 Arguments against gay marriage

   Like the 12 Days of Christmas, let's sing this one verse at a time.
   1. "God opposes homosexuality" - When did God say this? I'm aware that the Bible has verses that can be interpreted that way, but the Bible was written by man, not God. It has been through multiple translations. I know of no hotline that one can call to speak to God directly. And who's God are we speaking of? I would say this speaks to the thinking that one and one's views are superior because they are the word of the higher power.
   2. "It goes against nature" - Actually, homosexuality does exist and has been documented as existing in nature. And with the world population increasing at a rate that earth will not be able to support everyone at some point, homosexuality isn't all that bad when it comes to reproduction. And for a gay man to sleep with a woman would be going against his nature.
   3. "It goes against all recorded history" - Actually I think it was recorded in ancient Greek and Roman history. I also seem to remember a Biblical story that could be interpreted as a tribute to "male companionship." (It's all in the interpretation isn't it?) And so what if it's not in recorded history. There are many parts of the modern world that we take for granted that are not a part of recorded history. Are we supposed to live in the past?
   4. "It will hurt children." - There are no studies that I know of that are done by reputable scientists and institutions that conclusively indicate that children of gay parents turn out any less well adjusted than children of opposite sex couples. If you know of any, let me know.
   5. "It cheapens marriage" - If someone else getting married cheapens your marriage, then perhaps some therapy is in order. Not to be a smartass, but how does Joe Schmoe affect someone's marriage? I suppose if you are already in a heterosexual marriage and you go marry someone of the same sex then I can see that cheapening your original marriage. But that's against the law anyway in any case. The data that Kennedy cites is largely disputed because there exists no specific causal relationship between the decline of marriages and gay marriage. It's like saying that lower smoking rates are causing lower marriage rates.
   6. "Gay marriage will unleash a legal nightmare." - Yeah, and the freedom of slaves must have caused a legal nightmare too. You know, who belonged to who? Gosh what a pain! C'mon, we're going to categorically deny a group of people equal access to rights because of a legal nightmare? And let me tell you about a legal nightmare. It's having to go to a lawyer and pay big bucks to draft documents to protect your family when a straight couple can just get married and those rights are already granted. Or it's having to litigate just to see your partner in the hospital. And the argument about health costs rising is moot. Many companies already offer domestic partner benefits. My company does, and I enjoy one of the lowest medical co pays in the nation.
   7. "It will sink the culture from civilization to barbarianism." - Oh dear goodness... Is this a serious argument? For the sake of it we'll assume it is. Gay people have existed in society for all time. Wouldn't we have sunk already if homosexuality was such a threat? We're not talking about destroying families, we're talking about creating them. Kennedy states that, "The traditional family cannot coexist with same-sex marriage for any length of time." It's not a reality show where they have to live in the same house. And if a traditional family can't live with a same-sex household down the street, then there are problems in the traditional household itself. Blame, blame, blame...
   8. "It destabilizes all of society." - Boy that's a fear inspiring statement! The arguments that he puts forth are actually all solved by same-sex marriage. He says that if there's no permanency then society will fall. Marriage is what makes a family more stable isn't it? So if gay people marry, would that not make their families more stable. Add the rights and responsibilities of marriage to the gay family, and most of his arguments are answered.
   9. "What's next?" - Now we're talking about pedophilia and bestiality. These really make me mad. I don't want to marry a minor, and I don't want to marry my cat. Do you?
   10. "It will hurt women" - We're still on argument #9 where he says we'll have polygamy next. What hurts women is when a man is forced to live a lie, marry a woman, and pretend to be straight for the sake of his family. Kennedy's viewpoint seems to advocate lying about one's homosexuality to promote a life that is not one's own.
   11. "Same-sex marriages can produce no natural offspring." - Neither can heterosexual marriages where one couple is infertile. And some couples choose to have no children. Should their right to marry be abdicated? Kennedy's argument (as it is on his website) seems more focused on Christians making more babies than Muslims. That's a bit off topic and so is disqualified as a valid argument.
   12. "Same-sex marriage will criminalize Christianity." - Actually, the reverse is true. Radical Christianity seeks to criminalize homosexuality, and for decades this was true. And the truth is that gay marriage isn't about controlling Christian churches, but is about equality under the law. If a church chooses to not allow gay marriage, then we'll get married in other churches that allow it or by civil ceremonies. This is like saying allowing divorce criminalizes the Catholic Church. What should be criminal is spreading the preceding 12 mistruths and distortions about gays and our families.
   In a country such as the USA where the 14th Amendment of the Bill of Rights contains, "...nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws." Equal protection is the foundation of America. It is a guiding principle. I would seek to protect a Christian against the same discrimination that I face. I would do the same for any group that does no harm to others. To protect one group is to protect us all, to protect America. Kennedy's 12 reasons against same-sex marriage do not seek to protect anyone from any real harm, nor do they contribute to the basic principles and values that make us American. But of course the 1st Amendment says he can say whatever he wants. But it doesn't say anyone has to believe it.

(source: http://www.coralridge.org/impact/2004_aug_pg4.htm)