VA Going Down The Wrong Path

My home state of Virginia seems to be poised to put the issue of gay marriage on the ballot. The state already has laws preventing this, but the new legislation would change the bill of rights of the state constitution.

Many states have already passed similar laws and amendments. These laws are all formed out of bigotry, hatred, and fear. Two men or two women getting married does not affect anyone except for them. If a church wants to tell two guys that they will not perform a ceremony that is fine, but marriage in the eyes of the law should be treated as a contract that can be between any two people. All of the laws passed are rooted in hate and backwards religious interpretations. As recently as the 70s, states have quoted the Bible in overturning gay marriages.

Currently, when politicians protest gay marriage, they say that it goes against "tradition." The only traditions to say anything against gay marriage are religious in nature. This notion violates the First Amendment to the Constitution of our country, which explicitly states,

" Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion"


Issues concerning rights are too important to be put to a vote. We aren't talking about priviledges here. Driving is a priviledge. Getting welfare is a priviledge. Establishing a contract with another person is a right. Should freedom of speech be put to a vote? How about abortion? How about allowing people to have more than 2 children? It is up to judges who recognize the spirit and words of the constitutions of the state and the country to realize that everyone should have equal rights.

The easiest way to fix these situations is to totally remove government from marriage. Why should we even have to buy a license to get married? Who is giving us permission, and what exactly are they giving us permission to do? Marriage should simply be a contract, plus a religious or non-religious ceremony if one wishes.

What does "banning" gay marriage even accomplish? Two people of the same sex can still draft contracts to own joint property, give each other power of attorney over health decisions, and control joint bank accounts. It's just harder to do.

Opponents of gay marriage are of the same thought as those who would enforce segregation, deny women the right to vote, and in general attempt to impose their views on others. Adam and Steve getting married does not hurt Dick and Jane, it shouldn't affect them, shouldn't be their concern, and shouldn't even be an issue to be voted on.