Political Views: Same-Sex Marriage/Civil Unions
Let the debate begin!
I believe the best solution to the gay marriage issue is to remove government recognition and legal benefits (civil) from the institution of marriage (ceremonial/religious). Under the new system, two adults of full age, without any limitation due to race, color, nationality, sex, gender, sexual preference, political or other opinion, language, or religion, would be granted the right to form a civil union. These unions would legally recognize the couple, whether they are homosexual or heterosexual, as a family and would entitle them to any and all benefits provided to families under the law (providing health insurance, pension, etc.). Essentially, these unions would replace marriage licenses issued currently; i.e. a couple would have to visit a courthouse to obtain a civil union license from a government official (judge, county clerk, etc) granting them legal recognition.
Churches, religious organizations, secular institutions, public individuals would not have the right to grant civil unions to a couple; but would be permitted the right to perform ceremonial marriages in whatever tradition pertained to their belief system. Marriages preformed by churches/individuals/secular organizations would have no legal standing and would not be eligible for any legal benefits. However, the granting institution would retain the right to restrict the marriage ceremony in any manner that they saw fitting (e.g. an organization would not be obligated to marry homosexual couples, interracial couples, couples younger than 25, etc if it went against their belief structure)
IMO, this system would offer the best compromise to all parties. Churches/religious groups/secular organizations/private groups opposed to homosexuality would not be forced into acknowledging same-sex relationships if it conflicted with their belief structure and they would retain the right to any/all ceremonial aspects of marriage. However, those same-sex relationships would no be discriminated against by the law and would have the right to the benefits heterosexual couples enjoy.
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